Woman killed in freak towing accident!

[OOOOMS]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-21/f ... nt/2848762" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Updated August 21, 2011 14:13:51
A tow ball shot through the window of a car on a Geraldton beach Photo: A tow ball shot through the window of this car on a Geraldton beach killing a 29-year-old woman.
Map: Geraldton 6530

Investigations are continuing into a freak accident on a Geraldton beach which claimed the life of a 29-year-old mother of three.

Police say the woman was sitting in the passenger seat of a car being reversed by her partner as he attempted tow a friend's car out of sand on a beach at Drummond Cove yesterday morning.

Senior Constable Darryl Peedan says the rope was attached to a tow ball, which broke off under the strain and shot back through the front window of the car, hitting the woman in the throat.

"The tow ball appeared to be fairly rusty and that may have caused the tow ball to snap off and go through the vehicle that was trying to get it out," he said.

The woman's three children reportedly witnessed the accident from a nearby car.

She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Geraldton Regional Hospital.

Topics: disasters-and-accidents, geraldton-6530

First posted August 21, 2011 11:19:48

[Mud Dog]

Sad! More sad that the kids had to witness it, and sadder still that this won't be the last ... there will still be many more incidents like this. Hopefully we all know better here.

[CasKru]

So sad..... people just don't realise the amount of strain you put on the recovery points.

But what I am wondering... it states the friends car was stuck on the beach... what was he doing there in the first place?

[Traveler]

Sad that is was not necessary to happen if basic safety procedures were used.

Then her whole family would have been spared the life long trauma, guilt and loss.

Thanks for posting Mark; even though happened in Aussie, we all need to be aware.

[Royco]

Eish!! This is very sad.

All I can comment on is:
SAFETY FIRST!!!
The first rule in 4x4 (I guess any sport) is to get training!
Know how to first...

I have just ordered 4 of these from Anton, and should get them this week.

No shackles (or balls) to come flying ... although anything can still go wrong, at least try to limit the chances of things going wrong.

[OOOOMS]

Yes, very sad indeed....awareness and the correct procedure is the important issue here!!!

I can not count the number of times I have witnessed incorrect procedure on my two hands.

This is fact, and very scary :!: :!: :!:

[GI Jane]

A terrible shame. Definitely agree on the need for proper training and the need for the correct equipment for recoveries.

[Ali3n]

It is indeed very sad to hear of such things happening. We know things like this happen but tend to think that “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME”. Training is extremely important but I feel one must change your mind set. I personally have not been on training “YET” but hate being near a vehicle that is being recovered. Mark, where can we get training in the WEST RAND? Both my wife and myself.

[mushroom]

totally agree - sad. If you coem right with finding training on the West rand pls pm me - I also havent been "YET" - and would like to go

[OOOOMS]

It is indeed very sad to hear of such things happening. We know things like this happen but tend to think that “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME”. Training is extremely important but I feel one must change your mind set. I personally have not been on training “YET” but hate being near a vehicle that is being recovered. Mark, where can we get training in the WEST RAND? Both my wife and myself.

It is indeed very sad to hear of such things happening. We know things like this happen but tend to think that “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME”. Training is extremely important but I feel one must change your mind set. I personally have not been on training “YET” but hate being near a vehicle that is being recovered. Mark, where can we get training in the WEST RAND? Both my wife and myself.

Bosvark 4x4, Jan offers training

Jan - 082three21998one
Email - bosvarkgp at gmail.com