Posted 2010-10-19 11:43 AM (#125997) Subject: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
I'm very sad to report that a 10 year old girl was killed yesterday in Nebraska. The car she was riding in was hit head-on by a horse trailer that had come loose from the tow vehicle. Her brother is in critical condition. Her father who was driving the car was not seriously hurt. NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS The car went into the ditch and rolled after impact.
The horse was severely injured and had to be put down. The driver of the tow vehicle was unhurt. Apparently safety chains were not in use or were inadequate.
How very, very sad and how preventable. My heart and prayers go out to all involved.
How ironic that on today's board there are posts debating what strength is needed in safety chains.
Posted 2010-10-19 2:51 PM (#126013 - in reply to #125997) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I have a real beef with people who report accident fatalities by highlighting..NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS>..as if they deserved what they got. People die in accidents WITH seat belts too. Its a tragedy either way. I hope for the very best outcome for the rest of the family.....
Posted 2010-10-19 3:33 PM (#126022 - in reply to #126013) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Expert
Posts: 2615
it does say that there was a rollover,they would have probably been killed or seriously injured if the trailer had struck the vehicle just right head-on,but,in a rollover,with no one belted in,it's pretty much a given that someone will be.
Either way,it is terrible.I didn't give safety chains much thought years ago when I started hauling but I certainly do now.Not sure what the reason for the breakaway was,doesn't sound as if the trailer had a breakaway kit either.
Posted 2010-10-19 10:01 PM (#126045 - in reply to #126037) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by flatlandfilly on 2010-10-19 7:28 PM
farmbabe - my intent was not to imply they deserved what happened. The emphasis was to encourage all who don't use their selt belts to do so. Paul - I hope we will hear about what happened to the safety chains and the emergency breakaway brake. Please keep us posted.flatlandfilly
Here was the response to my email question So did the trailer chains break? OR were they NEVER ATTACHED???<<( Thanks for the email and the interest, part of our coverage today will be a look at the investigation. NSP said the chains were attached and they're not sure how the accident happened, but they are leaning toward an accident and no charges have been filed.
Posted 2010-10-20 8:02 AM (#126049 - in reply to #125997) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
In the video, it states that the trailer was used with the proper sized ball and that it appeared the chains were attached. They also say that had the family been wearing belts, the young girl would have had a better chance. The interior compartment was intact. Such a sad and seemingly avoidable accident.
Posted 2010-10-20 8:10 AM (#126050 - in reply to #125997) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
Wow. How horrible. How many of us have checked,hooked up, locked down, hooked the chains up, checked the lights.... and still, something like this could happen??? This is the very nightmare in the back of my head every time we leave this driveway.
Posted 2010-10-20 2:06 PM (#126064 - in reply to #126037) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
It may not have been your intent but thats exactly how it comes across. bad enough when some one dies only to have some kind of I told you so slapped into their faces.
Posted 2010-10-20 2:40 PM (#126067 - in reply to #125997) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Member
Posts: 6
Please go to www.dangeroustrailers.org and see what is going on.We all know the Safety Chains often snap. What you don't know is if she did use the Safety Chains then they could not have been rated or they used UNrated S hooks.Time and Time again...we have seen people go into Lowe's or any other big box store and buy any chain or any S hook because they think they are doing good. And let's be honest...to replace These Chains with the Right attachments is around $100.00.Look at the package the chains or S hook and you will see in very small print "NOT TO BE USED IN A SAFETY APPLICATION" How many trailers are being towed with "UNRATED SAFETY CHAINS:Wake up....this is only going to get worse.
Posted 2010-10-20 3:24 PM (#126068 - in reply to #126067) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Except that we don't know if the safety chains were either improperly attached or suitable for the task. Accidents DO happen( even with everything done right) so lets not rush to judgment.
Posted 2010-10-20 8:57 PM (#126078 - in reply to #125997) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
No judgin here,babe, this is one of the saddest things I've heard about in a long time. Years ago, while traveling east on I-70 near Columbia, Missouri, I witnessed a front tire blowout on a semi in on coming traffic. It hit a horse hauler head-on in my lane, just two vehicles in front of me.... People and seven horses died. There were dead and injured horses all over the place. One survived that was in the back slant... Obviously, thats why they call them accidents, and thats why we all will think when we hook up to go out. Safely.
Posted 2010-10-20 9:15 PM (#126079 - in reply to #125997) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Member
Posts: 14
Location: K.Y.
So sorry to hear of this tradagey. I have pulled trailers all my life. I had never had a trailer come off of a ball untill tuesday.I was pilling a bobcat skid steer looder. With my work truck F350 Ford.I hooked up the latch saftey chains & breakaway.A few miles down the road.I thought someone had rearended me.I loked in mirrows to see trailer on left & right.Thank God emergency break away worked & saftey chains held.I got trailer and Bobcat to shoulder trailer was still latched. Emergency break away pulled like it should have. I have no dought these things saved me from being hurt or worse.
Posted 2010-10-20 10:36 PM (#126086 - in reply to #126079) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by RACKING HOSS on 2010-10-20 10:15 PM
So sorry to hear of this tradagey. I have pulled trailers all my life. I had never had a trailer come off of a ball untill tuesday.I was pilling a bobcat skid steer looder. With my work truck F350 Ford.I hooked up the latch saftey chains & breakaway.A few miles down the road.I thought someone had rearended me.I loked in mirrows to see trailer on left & right.Thank God emergency break away worked & saftey chains held.I got trailer and Bobcat to shoulder trailer was still latched. Emergency break away pulled like it should have. I have no dought these things saved me from being hurt or worse.
Glad to hear you had a relatively good outcome from a bad event...
Posted 2010-10-21 3:56 AM (#126095 - in reply to #126079) Subject: RE: Loose trailer in fatal accident
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by RACKING HOSS on 2010-10-20 10:15 PM
. I had never had a trailer come off of a ball untill tuesday.I loked in mirrows to see trailer on left & right.Thank God emergency break away worked & saftey chains held.I got trailer and Bobcat to shoulder trailer was still latched. Emergency break away pulled like it should have. I have no dought these things saved me from being hurt or worse.
Your safe and positive outcome was the direct result of your conscientious driving habits. Not only did your actions save yourself, but anyone else close enough to be involved as well.
Loose trailer in fatal accident
Glad to hear you had a relatively good outcome from a bad event...