Another Tow Ball Death

[AJC]

i too saw this article; the headline grabbed me...in my view it shouldn't be described as a 'freak' accident, rather the article should contain a message about the risk of snatching from towballs and the need to use rated recovery points so as to try prevent future tragedies.

I feel for the family...those involved must be feeling as low as one can go given this has led to the death of another person!

[Stevie-Ray]

AJC, I agree with you!

i too saw this article; the headline grabbed me...in my view it shouldn't be described as a 'freak' accident, rather the article should contain a message about the risk of snatching from towballs and the need to use rated recovery points so as to try prevent future tragedies.

I feel for the family...those involved must be feeling as low as one can go given this has led to the death of another person!

Most likely the family will also have to go through the trauma of an inquest & possibly man-slaughter charges (with most likely outcome of a suspended sentence so he can remain with his family).
My concern is that now the authorities might start considering banning snatch-straps, whereas a better solution would be a requirement to do an off-road training-course (either club-based or private instructor) prior to being allowed to drive a 4WD off-road.

Steve

[cry_babys]

this guy seems to have gone above and beyond http://youtu.be/2JBnxSqpuCM

[darrenr]

Very very sad that 3 kids are now without a mother. A 4WD course is imo a very important way to learn about the do's and don'ts of 4WDriving. The first thing I was taught is towballs are not to be used for recovery. Shackles and proper rated snatch points are a must. Use a weight in the middle of the strap. Another good rule is if the vehicle being snatched or the snatching vehicle has any chance of impact from shackles etc place your bonnet up. If this person had placed up their bonnet during the snatch she would be alive right now, may this thread serve as a reminder just how dangerous 4WD recovery can be to the inexperienced. My condolences to the family,

[AJC]

Another good rule is if the vehicle being snatched or the snatching vehicle has any chance of impact from shackles etc place your bonnet up. If this person had placed up their bonnet during the snatch she would be alive right now.

Great tip!

[sharkcaver]

My concern is that now the authorities might start considering banning snatch-straps, whereas a better solution would be a requirement to do an off-road training-course (either club-based or private instructor) prior to being allowed to drive a 4WD off-road.

Steve

A very sad event indeed and a shocking way to learn a lesson. However, I reject the notion of a compulsory off road "license" to be able to drive one. That can't be enforced nor will it solve anything. How many people have car licenses that cant drive? (or any other license for that matter that cant do what they claim to be competent at). Maybe everyone that drives a tractor on a farm needs a license too, they have a horrible track record for injury and fatalities.

Shane.

[idefix]

I've never seen a tow bool tear
are you sure the bool tear has not changed?
but i have seen open shackles
it's really sad

[BarryJ]

Check out this thread on the same fatality: http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/...ad.php?t=18777

In particular, check the post (no.7) which has links to reports on this fatality plus three others in recent years in Australia.

[idefix]

Effectively that frightens !
i think, if placed up a jacket or cover or other during the snatch, the accident would have been avoided

[Alex86]

And then you see videos like this - do not take much notice of the title of the video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8lMxYnGIrw

Showing just about EVERYTHING WRONG.

When one of their snatches goes, its bloody lucky nobody got hit.

The driver of the Landy pretty much sums it up when he said "I've never done it before, but seen it done".
Joining snatches with a shackle, looped over the ball on both vehicles..... It's just asking for trouble.

[Stevie-Ray]

And then you see videos like this - do not take much notice of the title of the video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8lMxYnGIrw

Showing just about EVERYTHING WRONG.

When one of their snatches goes, its bloody lucky nobody got hit.

The driver of the Landy pretty much sums it up when he said "I've never done it before, but seen it done".
Joining snatches with a shackle, looped over the ball on both vehicles..... It's just asking for trouble.

It was easier to count the things they did right,...er...sorry, couldn't see any...so 'none'!
Those lads should've just left their dad's toys at home, & done something else instead.

Found another video of recovery-ignorance; http://youtu.be/qFScOcUMy8g
Couldn't leave it without responding to the comment justifying their technique, by leaving the following: "That's clearly hooked over the tow ball, & there doesn't seem to be much stretch for it to be a properly rated snatch-strap. Tow-balls can & do shear off at the threaded section & do superb impersonations of cannon-balls!"

Steve

[Pickle]

Got this in the mail o/night. Not really the right way to ask admin to remove a thread. Some posts could have been worded a in a more sensitive way but don't see a problem with them.
So it stays


Hi, would just like to say this site should be banned due to the stupid and rude members whom you allow to post their dumb post which are in educated and are basically a law suit. 'you' as in the website must all have no families and have lost both of you parents, how dare you allow high school drop out write their views on a family that have just lost a beautiful caring partner and mum? The idiot that posted must not be able to read ad in the article it said partner, not wife! I hope you remove the posts as I'm sure if something horrible happened to someone in your family you would not appriciate it being posted that you are responsible or played a role in the accident by some looser who wad not there, and had not involment and is on the other side of the country! I have saved a copy of this and will be taking this matter further if I do not receive a reply and the posts are removed within 48 hours, I understand this as a 4WD website, not a social and media bullying and harassment site as this is exactly what your members are doing. I hope this issued is resolved promptly and you can shop a tiny amount of respect to the family that have just been through one of the most traumatic experiences they ever face. This is regarding the accident which occured on Saturday the 20th of august 2011 at drummon cove, WA.

[TheTaipan]

"Hi, would just like to say this site should be banned due to the stupid and rude members whom you allow to post their dumb post which are in educated and are basically a law suit. 'you' as in the website must all have no families and have lost both of you parents, how dare you allow high school drop out write their views on a family that have just lost a beautiful caring partner and mum? The idiot that posted must not be able to read ad in the article it said partner, not wife! I hope you remove the posts as I'm sure if something horrible happened to someone in your family you would not appriciate it being posted that you are responsible or played a role in the accident by some looser who wad not there, and had not involment and is on the other side of the country! I have saved a copy of this and will be taking this matter further if I do not receive a reply and the posts are removed within 48 hours, I understand this as a 4WD website, not a social and media bullying and harassment site as this is exactly what your members are doing. I hope this issued is resolved promptly and you can shop a tiny amount of respect to the family that have just been through one of the most traumatic experiences they ever face. This is regarding the accident which occured on Saturday the 20th of august 2011 at drummon cove, WA."



A tragedy, absolutely but the words above could be the reason it happened.

[Bing]

Hi Pickle, My intent was to avoid the next tragedy. No disrespect meant to the family, in actual fact quite the opposite. I fully understand that the person requesting the deletion has strong feelings.

Seeing as how it was a reference to a newspaper article in the public domain I think we as, very interested and perhaps almost target group concerning this recovery method almost have a Duty of Care to highlight the awful consequences.

Rather than this site being banned I think that it should be commended for the help, education and safety promotion that may well have saved members and guests from injury and fatality in the past and hopefully in the future.

Again Condolences to the grieved.

[Pete]

I dont think anyone has been inflammatory??? I hope they dont. It wouldnt matter if the people involved did everything wrong or right the folk on this forum are generally empathetic and caring. No one is saying 'serves them right' because it doesnt.