tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81517684564315090452024-03-19T05:44:51.915-07:00Dangerous Trailers-Parade Float / Hayride AccidentsRon Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-51596003255656257902010-12-06T11:15:00.000-08:002010-12-06T11:19:06.201-08:00Girl Overrun by Float at Parade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiDFZpgBQY79L-iV7Oibcg233eQ2qPR4ZmABnPR0iNz5O6yywJZhGw5nni4AVIUulRRX648_apU8uSC07rtNhVqfyaXMjC9i8rWLKORCqhoKUmBL_5Tc_p8MSgOHIKsTkVYWNi5w8_gP6/s1600/Parade+Float+Accident+1212.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiDFZpgBQY79L-iV7Oibcg233eQ2qPR4ZmABnPR0iNz5O6yywJZhGw5nni4AVIUulRRX648_apU8uSC07rtNhVqfyaXMjC9i8rWLKORCqhoKUmBL_5Tc_p8MSgOHIKsTkVYWNi5w8_gP6/s400/Parade+Float+Accident+1212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547650517947984786" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><strong>Bay County, Fla: </strong> <br /> <p>The Panama City Christmas parade almost takes a turn for the worst when a young girl is run over by one of the floats.</p> <p>It happened Saturday night, directly in front of the Dan-D-Donuts and Deli shop on Harrison Avenue. Witnesses say the girl was trying to pick up candy, when the parade float ran over her foot. </p> <p>The girl was not taken to the hospital. Panama City police officials confirm she was luckily not hurt.</p> <span><br /><br />Read more: <a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/mbb/article/girl_run_over_by_float_at_parade/mbb7727060/#ixzz17LeKcwrJ">http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/mbb/article/girl_run_over_by_float_at_parade/mbb7727060/#ixzz17LeKcwrJ</a></span></div></div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-55967347618600074192010-12-06T10:51:00.000-08:002010-12-06T11:14:46.636-08:00Condition of girl hurt in parade improves Columbia Daily Tribune Published November 21, 2010 at 7:07 p.m. Advertisement A 7-year-old girl who was r<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTRnHisa0sYbQfa5oREtWl2TzTWASRg1yQEBqpjKxGU_b__xpLB06nWJnKfLcysKKm0umWidFfsbYxUhKl09h-87FKPQ-gm-45Lzrx73lDe_834kBNA5uBkc7eazGTJQl_uUniYvSMPpw/s1600/Parade+Float+Accident+1211.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTRnHisa0sYbQfa5oREtWl2TzTWASRg1yQEBqpjKxGU_b__xpLB06nWJnKfLcysKKm0umWidFfsbYxUhKl09h-87FKPQ-gm-45Lzrx73lDe_834kBNA5uBkc7eazGTJQl_uUniYvSMPpw/s400/Parade+Float+Accident+1211.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547649713294140082" border="0" /></a> <h1 class="header entry-title">Condition of girl hurt in parade improves</h1> <div class="content_info"> <span class="author source-org vcard" style="display: none;"><span class="org fn"> Columbia Daily Tribune </span></span> <p class="date"> Published <a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/nov/21/"><span class="updated" title="2010-11-21T19:07-05:00">November 21, 2010</span></a> at 7:07 p.m. </p> </div> <p>A 7-year-old girl who was run over by a trailer during the Columbia Holiday Parade yesterday has been upgraded to good condition. </p><br /><p>Shianne E. Nesmith was listed in stable condition yesterday evening after the 3:45 p.m. incident. The Columbia resident was pulled under a trailer during the parade, according to a Columbia police news release. The accident took place on Sixth Street between Broadway and Cherry streets. </p> <p>The girl was participating in the Fairview United Methodist Little Bethlehem float, on a small trailer being pulled by a Dodge Durango truck. She approached the trailer to get more of the coins they were handing out, police said, when a piece of her clothing caught on the trailer and she was pulled underneath. A tire of the trailer ran over her, injuring the left side of her body. She was taken to University Hospital. </p> <p>Police identified the truck’s driver as Jesse Munkirs, 61, of Columbia. Munkirs was not injured and was wearing a seat belt. There were two passengers in the trailer, another 7-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl. Neither was injured. </p>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-53616706617779133292010-12-06T10:42:00.000-08:002010-12-06T10:46:32.205-08:00Girl in stable condition after being hit by parade float<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiaEPzik2hbuFdZbw6u17rk3ZWMqRAP8-WC4A4Rs2MfFVM_AWey9I0iHsd1e5pJNPhDF2pyAODsio4RB8b2RHatmQHqWA9CdEGp1HcxYTtCgpIshzIA4aQniuEGiphffCJmqVYveI3LPQ/s1600/Parade+Float+Accident+1210.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiaEPzik2hbuFdZbw6u17rk3ZWMqRAP8-WC4A4Rs2MfFVM_AWey9I0iHsd1e5pJNPhDF2pyAODsio4RB8b2RHatmQHqWA9CdEGp1HcxYTtCgpIshzIA4aQniuEGiphffCJmqVYveI3LPQ/s400/Parade+Float+Accident+1210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547642454318446626" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="mailto:ablackstone@todaysthv.com?subject=viewer%20question%20about%20an%20article&body=Link:http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=131680&catid=2">Ashley Blackstone</a> <img src="http://www.todaysthv.com/graphics/bullet1.gif" align="absmiddle" /> 1 day ago<br /><br /><br />The Jacksonville Fire Department says a 6-year-old girl is in stable condition after she was hit by a parade float. <div id="article_text"> <p>The accident happened Saturday around 1:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Christmas Parade. </p> <p>Police say the girl was attempting to climb onto the float when she got hit. She was taken to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Firefighters say she had no signs of visible injury. </p> </div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-68467117049215804202010-11-05T11:32:00.001-07:002010-11-05T11:39:59.113-07:00Student’s death raises safety concerns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxf8WTpcnse-obSW5L4whFtNfDu55GzYVXNscWYgUREIYDh5jQTju9rDXDxbOUW-OCO3XJXiaJGKg6fgW_SXlnIa2xS9Io79Egs52thsPxs0bTOjh-LZoA3hEX1YXSJI8NFvPyw3WkPO1j/s1600/update101071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxf8WTpcnse-obSW5L4whFtNfDu55GzYVXNscWYgUREIYDh5jQTju9rDXDxbOUW-OCO3XJXiaJGKg6fgW_SXlnIa2xS9Io79Egs52thsPxs0bTOjh-LZoA3hEX1YXSJI8NFvPyw3WkPO1j/s400/update101071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536135493596960898" border="0" /></a><br /><h1 class="art_head"><span>Student’s death raises safety concerns</span></h1><br /><h1 class="art_head"><span>Student’s death raises safety concerns</span></h1> <div class="art_byline"> <br />By <a href="mailto:raymond.legendre@houmatoday.com">Raymond Legendre</a><br />Staff Writer<br /><br /> </div> <div class="art_pubdate"> Published: Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.<br /> Last Modified: Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 11:42 a.m. </div><p style="display: none;" class="pageof">( page <span>1</span> of 3 )</p> <div class="article_text article_paragraph0"> <p>THIBODAUX — When Nathan Trepagnier and his fraternity mates took a hayride down Audubon Avenue Saturday, they were participating in a homecoming activity, approved by Nicholls State University officials, that was supposed to be safe.</p><p><br /></p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1">But in the wake of the 19-year-old Metairie native’s death, trailer manufacturers and law-enforcement officials have raised concerns about the safety of people riding on trailers meant to haul equipment.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1">Trepagnier was run over and killed after falling from a hayride traveling on Audubon Avenue Saturday afternoon, State Police said. Trepagnier, who had been sitting on bale of hay, was trying to reposition himself when he fell, authorities said. Toxicology results on Trepagnier are pending.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1">Trepagnier’s fraternity, Kappa Alpha Order, had to register with the university to participate in the homecoming parade, university spokesman Graham Harvey said. University officials met Sept. 15 to review and assess campus activities, including safety measures. </p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1">Trepagnier’s death was the first of its kind during homecoming festivities, Harvey said. The university plans to review the State Police report on the student’s death before taking “all necessary measures,” the spokesman added.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1">The practice of using trailers in parades, whether Mardi Gras or homecoming, is not uncommon in south Louisiana, nor is it uncommon to see them used in hayrides around Halloween.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1">While these trailers are generally a part of slow-moving processions, that does not mean there is not some danger involved, authorities said.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1"><br /></p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">“Any time you’re in any type of moving vehicle and not fastened in the vehicle, you’re at a risk,” State Police Sgt. Markus Smith said. Hayrides are particularly dangerous because they don’t have proper seating or restraints, he added.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">The trailer Trepagnier was riding had a 1- to 2-foot-high railing, said Master Trooper Bryan Zeringue of State Police Troop C in Gray.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">There were 22 people sitting in the truck and the trailer, he added, noting he did believe the trailer, itself, was overcrowded with people. </p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">“They’re not moving fast, but you don’t have to be moving fast for anything to happen,” Zeringue said, adding the railings must be secure and high enough for people to fall, if trailers are going to be used to carry people in parades.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">Without proper modifications, “trailers are not meant for people” and are meant for property carrying purposes, said Clint Lancaster, the technical director for the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">On Sunday, Trepagnier’s father, Wilfred Trepagnier Jr., said there was no one to blame for his son’s death because it was a “freak accident.” He repeated that belief during a phone interview Wednesday.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">As a member of the Krewe of Bacchus in New Orleans, Trepagnier’s father said he is no stranger to riding on floats. The parade’s members must wear a harness to ride, he said.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">Asked if he could think of any similar precautions for a hayride, Trepagner’s father replied that he could not and added his son had been sitting down, which was a seemingly safe position.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">“He just moved a little bit to get comfortable on the bale he was sitting on,” Trepagnier’s father said.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2">Attempts to contact Kappa Alpha Order adviser Mike Matherne, who was out of town, were unsuccessful.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag2"><br /></p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag3">Trepagnier’s Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 3368 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans. </p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag3">In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nathan Scott Trepagnier Scholarship Fund at Holy Rosary Academy and High School, 3368 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, La. 70119.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag3">Staff Writer Raymond Legendre can be reached at 448-7617 or <a href="mailto:raymond.legendre@houmatoday.com">raymond.legendre@houmatoday.com</a>. Follow him on Twitter @cometcrime.</p><p style="display: block;" class="pagpag1"><br /></p> </div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-19602371434208569732010-11-05T11:27:00.000-07:002010-11-05T11:31:51.692-07:00Animal Paradise Owner Talks About Hayride Accident<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qDzC1f7O4-Ypi6VbM9j8PCRzP5TouRZhhFiPSJWT0KTS70plVngPSgL7YFUt4rujFpO7op0c4U9wCmc_GkX-Vp1mgDrkewz8ROAYJsKxphEKRvkGamKuLGDR99LR8oUdKhOP6WZuNWn1/s1600/update101070.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qDzC1f7O4-Ypi6VbM9j8PCRzP5TouRZhhFiPSJWT0KTS70plVngPSgL7YFUt4rujFpO7op0c4U9wCmc_GkX-Vp1mgDrkewz8ROAYJsKxphEKRvkGamKuLGDR99LR8oUdKhOP6WZuNWn1/s400/update101070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536134483021194706" border="0" /></a>Credit http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=7174<br /><h3>Animal Paradise Owner Talks About Hayride Accident</h3>See Video...Click Below<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq-Azj2d9Qk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq-Azj2d9Qk</a><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">A day after a hayride accident sent a group of students to the hospital; Animal Paradise Family Fun Park owners speak out about the incident.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eighteen high school students, mostly from Clever, were hurt when the tractor pulling the hayride trailer at Animal Paradise slid backwards, ejecting all the students.<span> </span>Thirteen of them were taken to </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Springfield</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> hospitals.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span> </span><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">The person with the worst injuries was the driver.<span> </span>Owner Lisa Ann Oddo says he has a broken rib, but doing fine.<span> </span>She says she's glad no one else was seriously hurt.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: green; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Our hearts go out to the families, to the schools, to the parents.<span> </span>I'm a mother and I can completely relate if my child was on a field trip and had that experience, the fear that I would fear; we're just really glad that all the kids were okay." says Oddo.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">The area attraction is back to operating on its regular schedule.<span> </span>Meantime, hospital officials at CoxHealth and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;">St. John's</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial;"> say everyone involved has been treated and released.</span> <div class="attachments_section"> <br /></div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-5270440861447193242010-11-02T09:51:00.000-07:002010-11-18T07:52:28.593-08:00Woman, 4 children injured in Millbrook accident. I added this to the Headline....NO lights,,,No Reflector Tape...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2aJ8U8fFY7w4L97Ih-0bNhEPnFxC9nJ0CiWk7q48ANpRPgqO4WGHFcDxCW2YyQ049N5bu81pRBV5Gwz4ahSpw83ycNVjC262QYgYwhU_ZT7KqVxk4NYzS0nEYPYzAaGNTJPRSivqVQRz/s1600/update101061.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2aJ8U8fFY7w4L97Ih-0bNhEPnFxC9nJ0CiWk7q48ANpRPgqO4WGHFcDxCW2YyQ049N5bu81pRBV5Gwz4ahSpw83ycNVjC262QYgYwhU_ZT7KqVxk4NYzS0nEYPYzAaGNTJPRSivqVQRz/s400/update101061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534996643131933122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />NOTE: This is my addition...almost all Farm Trailers are in deplorable condition. These trailers are rusted, have questionable construction standards and YES DO NOT HAVE WORKING TAILLIGHTS AND DO NOT HAVE REFLECTOR TAPE.<br /><br />I ask...send me the pictures of the trailer....<br /><h1 id="blox-asset-title"><span class="blox-headline entry-title">Woman, 4 children injured in Millbrook accident</span></h1><br /><br /><p class="story-times dtstamp"> Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 3:54 pm | <em> <span class="updated"> Updated: 9:43 am, Tue Nov 2, 2010. </span> </em> </p> <p class="byline"> Kevin Taylor | <a id="comment_0e5f84f6-e532-11df-b11b-001cc4c002e0" class="blox-comment" href="http://www.thewetumpkaherald.com/news/article_0e5f84f6-e532-11df-b11b-001cc4c002e0.html#user-comment-area"> 0 comments </a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">MILLBROOK — Four children and one adult were injured in an accident on the 700 block of Myrick Road Saturday night in Millbrook.</span></p> <div id="in-story"> <div id="tncms-region-ads-in-story" class="tncms-region-ads"> </div> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The accident involved a tractor pulling a trailer with children and adults aboard and a 2006 Nissan Altima, which were traveling westbound on Myrick Road around 8:43 p.m., according to Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">“According to the driver of the Nissan, he did not see the trailer until he was up on it,” Johnson said. “The Nissan struck the trailer, causing it to overturn.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Johnson said the trailer was carrying children and adults who were out in area neighborhoods trick or treating.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">“I think they were wrapping up their trick or treating and were about to drop off one of the children when the accident happened,” Johnson said. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">A 40-year-old woman, who was on the trailer, was airlifted to Baptist Medical Center South in Mont gomery with serious to critical injuries, Johnson said. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">As of late Sunday afternoon, Johnson said the woman had suffered a broken leg, which may require surgery.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Three of the children on the trailer were transported to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, while another child was transported to Jackson Hospital in Montgomery.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The children were ranged in age from 7 to 10 years old, according to Johnson.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">One of the children suffered a broken ankle, which may need surgery, Johnson said. The other three were treated and released from the hospital Saturday night.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The driver of the Nissan was a 30-year-old man from Deatsville and was not hurt, Johnson said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">“This appears to be nothing more than an unfortunate accident,” Johnson said. “There does not appear to be drugs or alcohol related to the accident.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Johnson said he didn’t foresee any charges related to the accident forthcoming.</span></p>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-83501723002823521492010-10-25T10:02:00.001-07:002010-10-25T11:28:29.483-07:00Hayride turns dangerous at Village of Terror ...Loose Trailer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbOpO1SsaTbar-SI3Q56ubli-CXFezXkDPQuF2jo_rRc8TVt7QHlAazvWBu5XTeW93kcp_Zt1L0wR_-xI4LfUfhaGeuH6rdE9MX1dl-8dZflgQJ2yJQudNtVbRU14J5kiHvBnN6B5z616/s1600/update101022.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbOpO1SsaTbar-SI3Q56ubli-CXFezXkDPQuF2jo_rRc8TVt7QHlAazvWBu5XTeW93kcp_Zt1L0wR_-xI4LfUfhaGeuH6rdE9MX1dl-8dZflgQJ2yJQudNtVbRU14J5kiHvBnN6B5z616/s400/update101022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532030437648105058" border="0" /></a><br />What started as a fun day at the Village of Terror turned into a frightening evening for people on a hayride that went hay-wire, rolling backwards down a hill and crashing into a carnival ride.<br /><br /><p>Correction:</p> <p>The Village of Terror originally told WEAU 13 News the hayride crashed into the TIlt O Whirl ride. It actually crashed into a different ride next to it, a ferris-wheel-type ride with cages for people to sit in. The Village of Terror orgainzers apologize for the misinformation.</p> <p>Original <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/105068289.html#" style="font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; border-bottom: 0.075em solid darkgreen ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: darkgreen ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;" class="iAs">story</a>:</p> <p>What started as a fun day at the Village of Terror in Chippewa Falls turned into a frightening evening for people on a hayride that went hay-wire, rolling backwards down a hill and crashing into a carnival ride.</p> <p>“I had my eyes shut the whole time because I thought I don’t want to see myself die, because I thought that we were going to,” says Amanda Weaver. “We were going so fast it was crazy.”</p> <p>13 –year-old Weaver and her sister Mary say they've never been so scared as they were yesterday, when a hayride wagon at the Village of Terror came unhitched and went backwards down this hill, and into this ride.</p> <p>“I had my eyes open the whole time and I thought the big ride was going to crash down on top of all of us,” says Mary Weaver.</p> <p>“I got smashed like this in between (some poles) and that’s how my rib got bruised,” says Amanda.</p> <p>Amanda went to the hospital, but says she's doing better. The Village of Terror organizers say they're not going to have hayrides anymore because of the terrain on the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/105068289.html#" style="font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; border-bottom: 0.075em solid darkgreen ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: darkgreen ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;" class="iAs">festival</a> grounds.</p> <p>“The hayride won’t be happening unless we can make sure it's 150 percent safe,” says spokesperson Julie Pangallo. “It's probably better left to apple orchards where they have <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/105068289.html#" style="font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important; border-bottom: 0.075em solid darkgreen ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: darkgreen ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; padding-top: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt;" class="iAs">flat</a> fields.”</p> <p>The staff say they apologize to anyone who got hurt, and they're working to make the festival safer.</p> <p>“We’re very sorry for the scare. We're obviously here to scare people, but not like that,” says Pangallo.</p> <p>The Weavers say there's no hard feelings and they'd like to return to the Village of Terror to see the rest of the show.</p> <p>The Village of Terror says it tested the tractor and wagon for the hayrides, but never tried it with a full load before yesterday.</p> <p>The Village of Terror staff also wants people to make sure they're respectful of the performers. Pangallo says yesterday some of the zombie characters were hit and had rocks thrown at them by kids and teens.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Comments:</p><p><br /></p><p><span class="title">Posted by: Amanda </span> Location: chippewa falls <i>on Oct 20, 2010 at 04:30 PM</i> <br /> <span class="headlines">Dave- the pin was found severed in half. Too much weight on the wagon and VERY small tractor.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </p><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54172068"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Dave </span> Location: Bloomer <i>on Oct 20, 2010 at 07:42 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">'Amanda' Stated she was on the hayride and the pin unhitched. I have been driving tractor & towing implements & machinery for over 30 years. When the hitch pin goes in, the safety clip is installed. ALWAYS!! This is fundamental tractor safety.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54100453"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Buckers </span> <i>on Oct 19, 2010 at 09:42 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I was also on the hayride and the management was very concerned about us. As for the village, it was a lot of fun and brought my grandkids 2 nights for the free rides. As for hiring a child molester, how would the people know this. Well worth the money.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54094231"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Halloween Fun </span> <i>on Oct 19, 2010 at 08:30 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I went to Valleyfair (aka Valleyscare) for their Halloween fun, it was the first time I've been there for Halloween. It was phenomenal! Granted it is more expensive than $19.00, but there weren't many people, most rides were open, and they really go all out. No one got hurt that I heard of!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54069333"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: concerned </span> Location: altoona <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 11:19 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">This place should be shut down. Major safty issues not only with the equipment but with the people they hire. Whatever happened to background checks?</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54056083"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Anonymous </span> <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 06:17 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I'm starting to wonder about this place. They hired that sexual predator DJ guy without a care. Doesn't sound like a very professional endeavor.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54053249"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: concerned parent </span> Location: eau claire <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 05:16 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">How can carny rides, haywagon rides, haunted houses, be run without being to code? Drug pipes for sale? Now I hear a registered sex offender is selling tickets there. Obviously this company only cares about money and not the welfare and safety of our children. Very disapointed!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54051879"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Lucie </span> Location: Eau Claire, WI <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 04:49 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I wish people would stop overreacting. What would we do in this little hick town if we had an actual disaster happen? There is rarely anything to do in the Chippewa Valley, and with all of the exagerated complaints, they will probably not bring the Village back next year. I was there Friday and Saturday nights with groups of friends (ages 10-50) and it was amazing and worth every penny.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54049116"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Anon </span> Location: CF <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 04:03 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">Wow - Now we find out that they are hiring sexual molesters to sell tickets. Shut this place down now !!!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54045968"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: anonymous </span> Location: eau claire <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 03:18 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">group - If you're looking for a "family oriented" event, then why are you taking your daughter to a halloween event called Village of Terrors of all things?</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54023779"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Joe </span> Location: Eau Claire <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 09:52 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">Save your money people.. waste of time and run by unsafe people.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54005703"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: group </span> Location: chippewa falls <i>on Oct 18, 2010 at 12:13 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I want you all to know that I took my daughter there friday night... it sucked. I took my daughter on a ride and the cable broke. It gave us a good jolt. To pay $15 is a RIP OFF... and then to pay another $4 to do the maze... come on...there was only 2 haunted houses...no hayride...the rides were all breaking...we will not return there.. times are tough so they should at least make it worth the $19!!! one other thing that turned me off was that one of the stands is selling crack pipes or whatever u call them,.... that is not real family oriented if u ask me!! VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"54001537"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Emme </span> <i>on Oct 17, 2010 at 09:45 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">'By the way, don't throw rocks at the monsters"... lol</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53989702"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Beth </span> Location: Cadott <i>on Oct 17, 2010 at 04:42 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I love how at the end of this report the operators of the Village of Terror try to change the subject and say.."oh yeah...by the way, quit throwing rocks at the staff" Really??? Someone could have been seriously hurt...I really don't think that comment applies here.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53986332"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Amanda </span> Location: chippewa falls <i>on Oct 17, 2010 at 03:26 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I WAS ON THE RIDE. im amanda and no i was not there to get my rib cage bruised. not even on the outside but its on the inside. and the pin DID come unhitched. we saw it and stuff. this story is correct., but my friend lily was with me to.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]<br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="title">Posted by: mary </span> Location: eau claire <i>on Oct 17, 2010 at 08:14 AM</i> <br /> <span class="headlines">To musky hunter... yes, I am assuming that the hitch pin would be most likely to fail, and clip in the pin.. and safety chains. Otherwise, it would be the drawbar or truck hitch (which is attached with pin) or the wagon tongue coming unbolted. I have been hauling loads with tractors for more than 30 years. With farming, "Safety First" is a must for our lives and livelihood. I did and do read articles, and think about them before I'd jump the gun and make a comment or criticism.</span> <br /> </a><a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53948782"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Anon </span> Location: Menomonie <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 08:32 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">We attended the village of terror last night, I do believe there are ALOT of safety concerns. The maze has very uneven ground and the fencing is very sharp and narrow. I hit my head and my husband ripped his sweatshirt on a nail that was in the fencing....it is very dark and dangerous especially with the uneven ground!! It is a fun place to go but they really do mean...ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53945488"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: janice </span> Location: chippewa co. <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 06:53 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">By the time this fiasco is done, there will be plenty of terror to go around. Imagine the nightmares these children will have. Money talks!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53941403"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Musky Hunter </span> Location: Tuscobia <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 04:35 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I honestly believe that the majority of posters, post comments withhout even reading the story.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53941289"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Musky Hunter </span> Location: Tuscobia <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 04:33 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">Mary, you must have read a different story than I did. I read nothing that mentioned the lack of a hitch pin, or are you speculating? There a several scenarios that could have went wrong, EVEN with a hitch pin in place.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53938561"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: deb </span> Location: Eau Claire <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 03:10 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">what about safety chains? or a trailer break? i'm required to have those just to pull my unloaded boat down the street!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53923893"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Linda </span> Location: Chippewa <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 08:51 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">I attended the Village of Terror and I thought it was very entertaining and well put together. Accidents happen, thankfully no one was hurt. Lesson learned..</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53923232"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: CFMom </span> Location: CF <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 08:38 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">There was a teenager last night that fell through the flooring in one of the spook houses. Sounds like there are plenty of safety concerns there!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div style="padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); margin-bottom: 5px;"> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53917504"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: Ray </span> Location: Rice Lake <i>on Oct 16, 2010 at 05:51 AM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">It "IS" called the Village of "Terror" isn't it? You're there to be "scared", so it sounds like everyone on the ride got what they wanted, a scare.</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><br /> </div> <div> <div style="display: none;">"53901423"</div> <span class="title">Posted by: mary </span> Location: eau claire <i>on Oct 15, 2010 at 06:39 PM</i> </div> <br /> <span class="headlines">Do they know nothing of a clip for a hitch pin???? Anyone worthy of pulling any load - much less a load of people - should know that as a VERY BASIC safety measure. For crying out loud!!</span> <br /> <a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);">[ Report Abuse ]</a><a style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: normal; float: right; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);"><br /></a>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-69445630947491438952010-10-25T09:49:00.001-07:002010-10-25T10:01:52.429-07:00Two injured during drunken hayride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaoHNmZVzYMAROZq5V4CV87D9xhJkbzK4CJVwlMd7TFKPpAWjL9rMgIA4W0zsnio7kx8-ODjF6p14c7ww0rUpk0n3cIMHcYqr8kW_APblIv5J4Z0_K-bMhs2y1od6OGuSAno-BEu6mZCH/s1600/update101019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaoHNmZVzYMAROZq5V4CV87D9xhJkbzK4CJVwlMd7TFKPpAWjL9rMgIA4W0zsnio7kx8-ODjF6p14c7ww0rUpk0n3cIMHcYqr8kW_APblIv5J4Z0_K-bMhs2y1od6OGuSAno-BEu6mZCH/s400/update101019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532027404849264834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSg8FLKoxNOG88S9iLwtKVqchnT-F8h_Cv-gr8cdr3uW7LdsjrLjI4M1jcig6HxuJVfxH-66VEvmPIRU85yjMxopL3X_-fxgI56T7xEaG5iVrh6fDUAmGV5L_WtBSyDbKsqUu8MYoWJ_8n/s1600/update101018.jpg"><br /></a><br /><p class="bold">Two injured during drunken hayride</p><div align="left">By Danny Beers | Fox59</div><span class="light">Story posted <span class="bold">2010.10.23 at 09:24 PM EDT<br /><br /></span></span>Benton County, Ind.-- A late evening hayride Friday night sends two to area hospitals and two land in jail on alcohol charges in Benton County.<br /><br />Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, a tractor pulling a hay wagon driven by 22-year-old Aaron Hawkins of Fowler, IN was northbound on State Road 71 north of County Road 200 north when two occupants of the hay wagon fell onto the roadway.<br /><br />The tractor continued north, dragging the victims until they were able to get Hawkins’ attention to stop.<br /><br />Kate Henry, 18, and Gregory John Burkert, 20, both from Fishers, IN were injured and transported to St. Elizabeth Central and Clarion Arnett Hospitals in Lafayette, IN with head injuries and complaint of stomach pains.<br /><br />The driver, Aaron Hawkins was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury and was taken to Benton County Jail.<br /><span class="light">Story posted <span class="bold">2010.10.23 at 09:24 PM EDT<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y6-CM55LR6_hCspPryOypDLK003C-Rnjm-3tbciroEGC5MaqMSsWjcb1T7b97l_7J-j_vND6eILzGYlN32pLjTvqnmL5_Tg3OIWAvVZ1cpP8KFWw15RloYQ1YilapgeIlEPd51XCUxP9/s1600/update101020.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y6-CM55LR6_hCspPryOypDLK003C-Rnjm-3tbciroEGC5MaqMSsWjcb1T7b97l_7J-j_vND6eILzGYlN32pLjTvqnmL5_Tg3OIWAvVZ1cpP8KFWw15RloYQ1YilapgeIlEPd51XCUxP9/s400/update101020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532028436964520914" border="0" /></a></span></span><br /><h3 class="">Two injured, two arrested in drunken hay ride</h3><em class="wnDate">Updated: Oct 24, 2010 10:30 AM EDT <noscript>Sunday, October 24</noscript></em><em class="wnDate"><noscript>, 2010 10:30 AM EST</noscript></em> <div id="WNStoryBody" class=""><p>Benton County - A late night hay ride in Fowler ended with two people in the hospital and two others arrested.</p> <p>It happened at around 10:20 pm Friday night. Police say Aaron Hawkins, 22, of Fowler, was driving a John Deere tractor pulling a hay wagon northbound on State Road 71 north of County Road 200. Two of the people riding in the hay wagon fell out, but police say Hawkins didn't realize it. He continued driving the tractor, dragging the victims until they got his attention.</p> <p>Police say Kate Henry, 18, and Gregory John Burkert, 20, both of Fishers, were injured. They were taken to local hospitals to be treated for head lacerations and stomach pain.</p> <p>Police arrested Hawkins and charged him with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. Kathryn Pack, 19, of Munster, was also at the scene and was charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Both Hawkins and Pack were taken to the Benton County Jail.</p> <p>Indiana State Trooper Josh Edwards investigated the incident with assistance from Benton County Sheriff's Department, Fowler Police Department, and the Benton County Ambulance Service.</p></div><br /><span class="light"><span class="bold"><span class="light"><span class="bold"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQD1aJL_NxSPOPrtZWofulbQJtccNyARuPPmymoX2hZ-RPdtRVs30MPoXsmEyEEiHAzecJL307gfMFUDOsgdnZ8VIFh1lSfr5CevrlkBNP4EnosM8KTLjBZFChwas-9vFgmUxvG3OwOZo/s1600/update101021.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQD1aJL_NxSPOPrtZWofulbQJtccNyARuPPmymoX2hZ-RPdtRVs30MPoXsmEyEEiHAzecJL307gfMFUDOsgdnZ8VIFh1lSfr5CevrlkBNP4EnosM8KTLjBZFChwas-9vFgmUxvG3OwOZo/s400/update101021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532029822907147522" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="light"><span class="bold"><br /></span></span><span class="header">Two In Jail, Two In Hospital After Drunken Hayride </span> <br /><span class="mini">By Alex Brown</span> <br /><span class="minidim">10/24/2010</span> <br /> <br /> <p>Two people are in jail and two others in the hospital after a late-night hayride in Benton County Friday night.</p> <p>Our partners at Fox59 report 22 year-old Aaron Hawkins was driving a tractor pulling a hay wagon northbound on State Road 71 north of County Road 200 North when two occupants of the wagon fell onto the roadway.</p> <p>The tractor continued going, dragging the victims until they could get Hawkins' attention to stop.</p> <p>18 year-old Kate Henry and 20 year-old Gregory Burkert were taken to the hospital with head injuries and stomach pains.</p> <p>Hawkins was taken to the Benton County Jail and is being charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. 19 year-old Kathryn Pack was also taken to jail for illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor.</p>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-51776916831324606082010-10-24T08:13:00.001-07:002010-10-24T08:14:37.618-07:00Child dies on festival hay ride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H3KlTRv7dgsy0udXAil75wVKR-fhAV3oYo6pexc6MUWzOsHJnF6IjOXr-u2GUoLh4LvxVqnyJoNuOZwLBgf52-A9WbSZu7PbnUI9hYJYfP6TYmO3OFxQcQ8eyucp_5gPCC0ttTKncvYS/s1600/update101010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-H3KlTRv7dgsy0udXAil75wVKR-fhAV3oYo6pexc6MUWzOsHJnF6IjOXr-u2GUoLh4LvxVqnyJoNuOZwLBgf52-A9WbSZu7PbnUI9hYJYfP6TYmO3OFxQcQ8eyucp_5gPCC0ttTKncvYS/s400/update101010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531631127530360898" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><h4 class="date">Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010</h4> <a identifier="2578408" id="commentCount" href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#disqus_thread">10 Comments</a> <h1 id="story_headline">Child dies on festival hay ride</h1><br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><div id="story_body"><div id="story_text_top"><p>WOOLMARKET — A 12-year-old boy, injured at a church festival tonight, has died. Timothy Kirby, the son of Rev. Edwin Kirby, pastor of First United Methodist Church, died from blunt force trauma to the head, said Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove. Timothy and some other children were jumping on and off a hay ride and “got tangled in the wheels on the trailer,” Hargrove said.</p><p>The accident occurred about 7:50 p.m. He was treated at the scene and taken to Biloxi Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:10 p.m.</p><p>The church is located on Mississippi 67 North. </p> </div> <div id="story_text_remaining"> <p> Read more about it in tomorrow’s Sun Herald. </p> </div> </div> <div id="related_news"> </div><span><br /><br /></span><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><div id="dsq-new-post" class="dsq-post-area"><div id="dsq-form-area"><div class="dsq-textarea"> </div> <div class="dsq-post-footer"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button" id="dsq-post-button"> <span> Post as 996699 </span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div id="dsq-comments-title"> <h3> Showing <span id="dsq-num-posts">10</span> comments </h3></div><div class="dsq-options"> <span class="dsq-item-sort"> Sort by <select id="dsq-sort-select"> <option value="hot">Popular now</option> <option value="best">Best rating</option> <option value="newest" selected="selected">Newest first</option> <option value="oldest">Oldest first</option> </select> </span> <span class="dsq-subscribe-email"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/embed/email.png" alt="" /> <span id="dsq-subscribe"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#">Subscribe by email</a> </span> <span class="dsq-subscribe-rss"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/embed/bullet-feed.png" alt="" /> <a href="http://sunherald.disqus.com/child_dies_on_festival_hay_ride/latest.rss">Subscribe by RSS</a> </span> </span></div> <ul id="dsq-comments"><li id="dsq-comment-89632373" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-even "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89632373" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89632373" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89632373" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" href="http://disqus.com/996699/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/6/4282/avatar32.jpg?1281549413" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89632373" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89632373">996699</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89632373" title="Permalink">18 minutes ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89632373" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89632373"> Posted On: August 2, 2010 by Jeffrey M. Reiff<br />Tragic Hay Ride Amusement Death Spotlights Minimal Laws and Regulations Concerning Safety and Regard For Life<br /><br />This was posted August 2, 2010 over 2 months ago...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/08/tragic_hay_ride_amusement_deat_1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/08/tragic_hay_ride_amusement_deat_1.html</a><br /><br />We were Featured !!! and yet they keep sweeping this critical issue under the rug. When will they start to listen and implement our suggestions? We are ready to help!<br /><br />and this...<br />Hayride death spotlights lack of safety laws<br />woman died after hayride crash<br />By Katie Saltz - ksaltz@herald<a href="http://-leader.com/" rel="nofollow">-leader.com</a><br /><br />JULY 7, 2010<br /><a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2010/07/07/1338681/hayride-death-spotlights-lack.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kentucky.com/2010/07/07/1338681/hayride-death-spotlights-lack.html</a><br /><br />An accident happens when no warning or prior accidents of similar events happened. We have been sounding the alarm that we can prevent!!<br /><br />Here is an e mail why does she get the message?<br /><br />Mr. Melancon:<br /><br />You may be the best informed person on trailer accidents I have ever seen. I am trying to compile statistics about parade related deaths and hoped you might be able to help. My interest is more in the direction of preventing people from throwing candy, as we have had several near misses. I am the head of our Christmas Parade Committee and would like to have the information to provide to our local media. Do you have statistics on parade related deaths and/or serious injury, from candy, trailer/loat mishaps, or anything else that you could provide to me? Any help would be much appreciated and credited on our little blog (<a href="http://miracle-on-kansas.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">miracle-on-kansas.blogspot.com</a>)<br /> </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89632373"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89632373" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit"> Edit </button> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89632373"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89631706" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-odd "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89631706" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89631706" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89631706" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand Valhalla2's profile" href="http://disqus.com/mcclatchy-a944a1577859d3ceddaa1c39bc5a34d5-33278/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/noavatar32.png" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89631706" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89631706">Valhalla2</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89631706" title="Permalink">24 minutes ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89631706" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89631706"> God's will? </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89631706"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89631706" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <span id="dsq-like-89631706" class="dsq-like"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Like</button> </span> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89631706"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89628652" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-even "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89628652" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89628652" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89628652" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand 996699's profile" href="http://disqus.com/996699/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/6/4282/avatar32.jpg?1281549413" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89628652" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89628652">996699</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89628652" title="Permalink">50 minutes ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89628652" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89628652"> Here is more from last month..<br /><a href="http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/boy-13-injured-in-parade-float-accident.html" rel="nofollow">http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/boy-13-injured-in-parade-float-accident.html</a><br /><a href="http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/hayride-goes-haywire-injured-students.html" rel="nofollow">http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/hayride-goes-haywire-injured-students.html</a><br /><a href="http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/tragic-death-of-nicholls-student.htmlhttp://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/accident-halts-oktoberfest-torchlight.html" rel="nofollow">http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/tragic-death-of-nicholls-student.htmlhttp://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2010/10/accident-halts-oktoberfest-torchlight.html</a><br /><br />All were preventable and that is the saddest key to all of this. </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89628652"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89628652" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit"> Edit </button> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89628652"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89628648" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-odd "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89628648" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89628648" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89628648" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand thepinkfaerie13's profile" href="http://disqus.com/thepinkfaerie13/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/noavatar32.png" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89628648" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89628648">thepinkfaerie13</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89628648" title="Permalink">50 minutes ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89628648" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89628648"> My prayers are with the family and friends, this is just so sad :( </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89628648"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89628648" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <span id="dsq-like-89628648" class="dsq-like"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Like</button> </span> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89628648"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89627906" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-even "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89627906" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89627906" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89627906" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand 996699's profile" href="http://disqus.com/996699/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/6/4282/avatar32.jpg?1281549413" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89627906" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89627906">996699</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89627906" title="Permalink">56 minutes ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89627906" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89627906"> Look at this...<br /><a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti-teenager-meets-rescuers-who-saved-his-life-after-hayride-accident" rel="nofollow">http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti-teenager-meets-rescuers-who-saved-his-life-after-hayride-accident</a>/<br /><br />and this.<br /><br />The family of Jacob George, a nine-year-old who was severely injured when he fell from a Halloween hayride two years ago, got a boost in both funding and morale on Sunday when the little boy was the beneficiary of a Home Run Derby last weekend.<br /><a href="http://baskingridge.patch.com/articles/charity-event-hits-a-home-run#photo-2416192" rel="nofollow">http://baskingridge.patch.com/articles/charity-event-hits-a-home-run#photo-2416192</a><br /><br />Please know that every one of these accidents were completely preventable! This critical issue and the total lack of any government action is simply mind numbing!<br /><br />It simply is heart breaking to know that yet another "Preventable" hayride accident will happen or more in the coming weeks and we have the knowledge and Suggestions to prevent and this is totally unacceptable. <br /><br />Where else do you suggest how we might get our message out? Nobody in Government seems to care. </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89627906"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89627906" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit"> Edit </button> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89627906"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89627132" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-odd "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89627132" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89627132" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89627132" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand 996699's profile" href="http://disqus.com/996699/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/6/4282/avatar32.jpg?1281549413" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89627132" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89627132">996699</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89627132" title="Permalink">1 hour ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89627132" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89627132"> Confused.....I am not using this as a soapbox....keep in mind...Halloween is next week!! and while this is a tragic accident we might prevent another tragic accident in the coming weeks!!! We are not trying to regulate everything.....we are asking for a simple set of rules when you use a Hayride!!!!! <br />If we keep sweeping this critical issue under the rug....when will the time come to help find ways to reduce and prevent injuries? When the next child looses his or her life?<br /><br />Believe me...I morn every time I have to report this type of accident!!!! I grieve also!!!! I stay up at night asking why!!<br /><br />I have been asked to help by other Hayride organizations and parade float organizations and have made a difference and none that have asked for my suggestions has had any injuries or loss of life!!<br /><br />Look....I have been self funded....and in no way have gained financially for my actions..in fact I may loose everything I have because I have been addressing this for 8 years!! <br /><br />Are you going to call this mom insensitive also? She said this back in September of this year...<br /><a href="http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com</a>/<br /><br />See this quote from my State Senator!!!!<br />We were honored to have a letter of nomination see full letter here:<br /><a href="http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/Nomination_By_Senator_VA.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/Nomination_By_Senator_VA.html</a><br />Quote " Ron contacted insurance companies, trailer companies and the<br />National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and received no assistance.<br />He decided to "go it alone", distributing flyers, which he printed himself, talking<br />to state and federal political representatives, letters to newspapers, researching<br />trailer safety and accidents, establishing a web site."<br /><br /><br />This just happened In Georgia...<br />Hayride Accident in Douglas Injures 27 People,<br />By Associated Press Writer | (AP)<br />Published: October 18, 2010<br /><br />In closing....we don't accept the continued loss of life due to this!!!! Prove us wrong..if you can't then why should someone else get hurt or loose their lives...this coming week!!!<br /><br />We do not accept knowing that we can prevent another family from this! This is preventable. </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89627132"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89627132" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit"> Edit </button> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89627132"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89619453" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-even dsq-comment-is-parent"> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89619453" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89619453" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89619453" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand SteveSchlicht's profile" href="http://disqus.com/mcclatchy-a944a1577859d3ceddaa1c39bc5a34d5-15930/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/noavatar32.png" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89619453" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89619453">SteveSchlicht</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89619453" title="Permalink">2 hours ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89619453" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89619453"> There are venues to mourn, there are venues to inform and there are venues where all views can be explored in the open marketplace of ideas.<br /><br />An online Sun Herald discussion forum should be considered the latter as it is neither the funeral home nor the capitol building.<br /><br />The facts and circumstances as reported seem to support a need for social activism and examination as offered by 996699. <br /><br />Just as many other tragic circumstances have ultimately brought about beneficial change (Amber Alerts, etc), I think that we can show our most sincere condolences to the Kirby family while also expend some energy looking for ways to prevent such tragedies from happening to anyone else.<br /><br />"Not, how did he die, but how did he live<br />Not, what did he gain, but what did he give?<br /><br />These are the units to measure the worth<br />Of each human child from the moment of birth.<br /><br />Nor what was his church, nor what was his creed<br />But had he befriended those really in need?<br /><br />Was he ever ready, with words of good cheer,<br />To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?<br /><br />Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,<br />But how many did love him when he passed away?"<br /><br />Our deepest sympathies to all of the friends and family of Timothy Kirby. </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89619453"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89619453" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-user-like"><span id="dsq-like-pts-89619453">1 person</span> liked this.</span> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <span id="dsq-like-89619453" class="dsq-like"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Like</button> </span> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89619453"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89622197" style="margin-left: 30px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-comment child dsq-depth-1 dsq-parent-is-89619453 dsq-odd "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89622197" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89622197" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89622197" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand confused's profile" href="http://disqus.com/mcclatchy-a944a1577859d3ceddaa1c39bc5a34d5-41735/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/noavatar32.png" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89622197" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89622197">confused</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89622197" title="Permalink">1 hour ago</a> </span><a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89619453" title="Jump to comment" class="dsq-reply-link">in reply to SteveSchlicht</a> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89622197" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89622197"> I am amazed that people want to regulate everything yet they also say they don't want the government in their business. They complain about big government yet they want "Big Brother" to look after them. Make up your minds. We have been having hayrides for hundreds of years without incident, this is a tragic accident that no amount of regulation could have prevented. We have been having parades for years without incidents. It just seems as though those who cry "we must regulate " are the same ones who want to less govenrment intervention into their private life.<br />I am done, </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89622197"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89622197" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <span id="dsq-like-89622197" class="dsq-like"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Like</button> </span> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89622197"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89615964" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-even "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89615964" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89615964" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89615964" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand confused's profile" href="http://disqus.com/mcclatchy-a944a1577859d3ceddaa1c39bc5a34d5-41735/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/noavatar32.png" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89615964" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89615964">confused</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89615964" title="Permalink">2 hours ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89615964" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89615964"> Could you possibly be a little more insensetive!!!!! How dare you use the death of this young man for your personal agenda and soapbox.. Let this family and their extended family grieve without your meddling. If you want a law changed go see Gene Taylor not espouse your foolishness in this manner. The family is hurting and you want to heap more stuff on top of them. Shame on you!!!!!!! </div> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-89615964"> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#" id="dsq-post-report-89615964" class="dsq-post-report">Flag</a> </div> <div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> <span class="dsq-comment-buttons"> <span id="dsq-like-89615964" class="dsq-like"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Like</button> </span> <span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-89615964"> <button type="button" class="dsq-button-small">Reply</button> <button type="button" class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">Reply</button> <span></span> </span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </li><li id="dsq-comment-89612593" style="margin-left: 0px;" class="dsq-comment dsq-odd "> <div class="dsq-full-comment"> <div id="dsq-comment-header-89612593" class="dsq-comment-header"> <table> <tbody><tr> <td id="dsq-header-avatar-89612593" class="dsq-header-avatar"> <a id="dsq-avatar-89612593" class="dsq-avatar dsq-tt" title="Expand 996699's profile" href="http://disqus.com/996699/"> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/uploads/users/6/4282/avatar32.jpg?1281549413" class="" alt="" /> </a> </td> <td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> <div class="dsq-comment-header-meta-wrapper"> <cite id="dsq-cite-89612593" class="dsq-comment-cite"> <span id="dsq-author-user-89612593">996699</span> </cite> <img src="http://mediacdn.disqus.com/1287621456/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" width="15" height="14" /> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time"> <a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#comment-89612593" title="Permalink">3 hours ago</a> </span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div id="dsq-comment-body-89612593" class="dsq-comment-body"> <div class="dsq-comment-message" id="dsq-comment-message-89612593"> <br />We are simply heartbroken once again. This the 5 loss of life and over 10 serious injury in just two months. The lack of action is totally unacceptable. Why does this family need to be going through this?<br /><br />Please,,,,Please,.... on July 12, 2010 of this year and for the past 5 years we have been warning of the injuries and loss of lives due to Hayride trailers and Parade Float trailers. Please note that <a href="http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/" rel="nofollow">www.dangeroustrailers.org</a> has documented and documented accidents from "Passenger Cars That tow Trailers" <br /><br />This loss of life was totally preventable if we simply had a NATIONWIDE SET of safety instructions and rules. We don't think Utility Trailers should be used in this manner.<br /><br />Note that this week Graco recalls 1.5 Baby Cribs due to 7 baby injuries in 5 years...but we have 5 deaths from September and October and NOTHING IS DONE!!! Wake Up. How many lives need to be lost due to this unregulated and no national standard!! </div></div></div></li></ul><span><br /><br />Read more: <a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13I17TtTj">http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13I17TtTj</a></span></div></div><br /><span><br />Read more: <a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13I125KWt">http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13I125KWt</a><br /><br /></span></div></div><span><br />Read more: <a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13I0zUBYt">http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13I0zUBYt</a></span></div></div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-63512665490051936932010-10-24T08:05:00.000-07:002010-10-24T08:06:27.091-07:00Tragic Hay Ride Amusement Death Spotlights Minimal Laws and Regulations Concerning Safety and Regard For Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMykCdZx66ahPjMM0trVEGjIVpKhCk5resXsbGLEpx-pqDJKNkhZZVPDsoyfn0EyU2j-mJl-JeFC_AQsG9GN2kdbAg1eyvjUSFhFkvtbtCXxFjxSXxPm0Ey-RraPaNY4oZZwhrW9Y0tnp/s1600/update101009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 66px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMykCdZx66ahPjMM0trVEGjIVpKhCk5resXsbGLEpx-pqDJKNkhZZVPDsoyfn0EyU2j-mJl-JeFC_AQsG9GN2kdbAg1eyvjUSFhFkvtbtCXxFjxSXxPm0Ey-RraPaNY4oZZwhrW9Y0tnp/s400/update101009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531629144243958018" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="prevnext"> <a href="http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/07/tragic_consequences_and_drowni.html">« Previous</a> | <a href="http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/08/dui_boating_and_jet_ski_accide.html">Next »</a> </div> <div class="entry-header"> <span class="e-date">Posted On: <strong> August 2, 2010 </strong></span> <span class="e-author">by <a href="http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/08/tragic_hay_ride_amusement_deat_1.html"> Jeffrey M. Reiff </a></span> </div> <h3> Tragic Hay Ride Amusement Death Spotlights Minimal Laws and Regulations Concerning Safety and Regard For Life </h3> <div class="entry-content"> <div class="entry-body"> <p>As an <a href="http://www.reiffandbily.com/lawyer-attorney-1361629.html">experienced hay ride accident</a> and <a href="http://www.reiffandbily.com/lawyer-attorney-1361627.html">amusement accident lawyer</a> who regularly investigates and prosecutes hay ride accident cases, I salute the efforts of government officials in Kentucky to investigate safety laws on hay rides after the death of a 44-year-old woman. The victim, Terry Hurley, was killed after a tractor and hay ride wagon carrying 30 people on a farm jackknifed on a hill and began to slide down the hill. Investigators indicated that the tractor began to slide coming down a hill and the trailer then jackknifed at which point the victim was thrown off and struck by a wagon wheel. She was pronounced dead of head and chest injuries at the hospital. Five other people sustained injuries as well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victims.</p> <p>As an attorney who has investigated and prosecuted hay ride cases, I am surprised that there are no stringent regulations concerning who can operate farm vehicles. In this case, Dale Dobson, head of the Farm Safety Program for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture stated that Kentucky has no regulations concerning who can operate farm vehicles. “There are no laws and we don’t need any laws,” he stated. </p> <p>Ron Melancon, a former medical emergency technician from Richmond, Virginia, has been a stalwart consumer advocate promoting stringent safety regulations to prevent injuries and deaths resulting from defective trailers. Ron regularly collects information regarding deaths and accidents involving trailers and farm vehicles and knows that people operating hay rides or trailers often don’t even know how to work the lights or connect the trailer properly. Ron states, “a lot of trailers out there are just in bad condition.” For more information go to Ron’s website at <a href="http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/">www.dangeroustrailers.org</a> or visit our website <a href="http://www.reiffandbily.com/">www.reiffandbily.com</a> and click on our dedicated subsections devoted to <a href="http://www.reiffandbily.com/lawyer-attorney-1361629.html">defective trailers</a> and <a href="http://www.reiffandbily.com/lawyer-attorney-1361629.html">hay ride accidents</a>.</p> <p>Many trailers are homemade and do not require licenses to operate. Nobody is there to verify that it is safe. Unfortunately, many of the laws being used in 2010 are from the 1920's and 30's. Not so surprisingly, in excess of 400,000 people a year are injured in trailer accidents in the United States and many of these unfortunately involve children and unsuspecting patrons at Halloween hay rides. We recently concluded a case where a young man and his mother were run over by the wheels of a Halloween hay ride amusement ride.</p> <p>If you or a loved one has been involved in a hay ride, amusement, or defective trailer accident, please contact one of our attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at <a href="http://www.reiffandbily.com/">www.reiffandbily.com</a>.</p> </div> <div id="more" class="entry-more"> </div> </div> <p class="entry-footer"> <span class="post-footers">Posted by <a class="authorurl" href="http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/08/tragic_hay_ride_amusement_deat_1.html">Jeffrey M. Reiff </a></span> | <a class="permalink" href="http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/08/tragic_hay_ride_amusement_deat_1.html">Permalink</a> | <a href="mailto:?Subject=Philadelphia%20Injury%20Attorney%20Blog%20::%20Tragic%20Hay%20Ride%20Amusement%20Death%20Spotlights%20Minimal%20Laws%20and%20Regulations%20Concerning%20Safety%20and%20Regard%20For%20Life&Body=I%20thought%20you%20would%20enjoy%20this%20Philadelphia%20Injury%20Attorney%20Blog%20Blog%20post:%20%27Tragic%20Hay%20Ride%20Amusement%20Death%20Spotlights%20Minimal%20Laws%20and%20Regulations%20Concerning%20Safety%20and%20Regard%20For%20Life%27%20http://www.philadelphiainjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/08/tragic_hay_ride_amusement_deat_1.html" title="Send this Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog Blog Post to a Friend!">Email This Post</a> </p>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-75226042172965929002010-10-24T08:01:00.000-07:002010-10-24T08:04:47.387-07:00Hayride death spotlights lack of safety laws<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFbIfHsnxrvJCLG0DFxg1ZaJz0ngODGS4wSzJodne6Fph4IJFTcicCf0E87X13Gqt2rLiJMh7T4FJVzLxpMZyco7PIj00PQg57P3O_mHgWxyjoMWv36hc3pokWJfxq6ElKEGwPYtvWYQJ/s1600/update101008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFbIfHsnxrvJCLG0DFxg1ZaJz0ngODGS4wSzJodne6Fph4IJFTcicCf0E87X13Gqt2rLiJMh7T4FJVzLxpMZyco7PIj00PQg57P3O_mHgWxyjoMWv36hc3pokWJfxq6ElKEGwPYtvWYQJ/s400/update101008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531628669655815522" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="mi_story_detail_top"><div id="story_header"><h4 class="date">Wednesday, Jul. 07, 2010</h4> <span id="story_activity_count"> <span id="story_comments_count"> <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2010/07/07/1338681/hayride-death-spotlights-lack.html#Comments_Container"><span class="icon icon-comment"></span>Comments</a> (<span id="commentsCount">17</span>) </span> | <span id="story_recommended_count"> <span id="recommendation"><a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2010/07/07/1338681/hayride-death-spotlights-lack.html#none"><img src="http://pluck.kentucky.com/ver1.0/Content/images/icons/arrow_up_rec.gif" /> Recommend</a> (1)</span> </span> </span> <h1 id="story_headline">Hayride death spotlights lack of safety laws</h1> <h2 id="story_subheadline">woman died after hayride crash</h2> <div id="story_bycredit"> <span class="byline">By Katie Saltz</span> - <span class="creditline"><a href="mailto:ksaltz@herald-leader.com">ksaltz@herald-leader.com</a></span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="story_body"> <div id="story_text_top"> <p> As police investigate the death of a woman thrown from a hay wagon Saturday, a Kentucky agriculture official says there are few laws concerning safety on farm vehicles.</p><p>Terri Hurley, 44, was killed after a wagon carrying 30 people on a Mercer County farm jackknifed on a hill. Investigators have said the tractor pulling the trailer began to slide coming down a hill and the trailer then jackknifed. Hurley was thrown off and struck by a trailer wheel. She was taken to James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital in Harrodsburg, where she was pronounced dead of head and chest injuries.</p><p>Five other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, a deputy coroner said. </p></div></div><span><br /></span><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><div id="story_text_remaining"><p>Kentucky State Police are waiting for toxicology reports of the driver.</p><p>Dale Dobson, head of the Farm Safety Program through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, said the state does not have any regulations concerning who can operate farm vehicles.</p><p>"There are no laws, and we don't need any laws," he said.</p><p>Dobson said the death rate from farm-equipment accidents has decreased from 50 a year in the mid-1990s to 13 or 14 a year in the late 2000s. The safety program educates farmers on how to prevent accidents and trains emergency responders on how to handle accidents.</p><p>"We educate that it is your life, your family, your farm and your responsibility," Dobson said.</p><p>Ron Melancon, a former emergency medical technician in Richmond, Va., collects information regarding deaths and accidents involving trailers and farm vehicles, and he said changes need to be made in Kentucky law. People often don't know how to work lights or connect a trailer properly, he said.</p><p>"A lot of trailers out there are in bad condition," said Melancon, who runs the Web site www.dangeroustrailers.org. "There is no training in how to drive one with people in it; they are meant for cargo."</p><p>Melancon said the crashes occur because many wagons used by families are homemade and do not require a license to operate.</p><p>"Nobody is verifying what you are building is safe," he said. "We are using 1930 laws in 2010."</p><p>Mark Purschwitz, an extension professor in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, said that when a wagon or trailer jackknifes, it is usually because the tractor pulling the wagon could not handle the load.</p><p>"People think the tractor just needs to be big enough to pull the load, but it also has to be big enough to stop it," said Purschwitz, who specializes in farm health and safety through the Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention.</p><p>Because farm work is often shared among a family, including children, Purschwitz said, regulations probably won't change because of deep-held farm traditions.</p><p>"There are so many variables and so many different situations that occur with farm work, so the tradition has been to leave it as an issue of personal responsibility," he said.</p><p>Melancon began his Internet project in 2003 after he rear-ended a trailer while driving his ambulance. He said the trailer was black with wire mesh and the lights were so low he couldn't see them. He was found not guilty in the collision, began researching trailer accidents and realized how many people were at risk for injury or death because of improper use of farm vehicles.</p><p>According to data he has gathered, Melancon said, more than 400 people a year are killed in trailer accidents in the United States. He said people might not realize the frequency of farm-vehicle accidents.</p><p>"Newspapers report a freak accident here and a freak accident there, and no one notices it is a national problem," he said.</p><p>Purschwitz said calls for reform on farm-vehicle regulations usually come from people outside the world of agriculture. He said some people want to require a license to use farm equipment, while "old-timer" farmers respond that they began operating tractors well before their teen years.</p><p>"There has to be a middle ground," Purschwitz said.</p><p>Melancon said he has pushed for new trailer laws in Virginia and is pushing for change in other states. Hearing about Hurley's death only reinforced his desire to reform state regulations.</p><p>"It is horrific, and it bothers me," he said.</p><p>Hurley was a meter reader for American Water Co. She is survived by her parents, Harold and Patricia Ann Hurley of Harrodsburg, and a brother, James Harold Hurley of Burgin.</p><p>Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Immanuel Baptist Church in Danville. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Ransdell Funeral Chapel in Harrodsburg is in charge of arrangements. </p> </div> <h6>Herald-Leader staff writer Karla Ward and the Associated Press contributed to this story.</h6><span><br /><br />Read more: <a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.kentucky.com/2010/07/07/1338681/hayride-death-spotlights-lack.html#ixzz13HyQrofq">http://www.kentucky.com/2010/07/07/1338681/hayride-death-spotlights-lack.html#ixzz13HyQrofq</a></span></div></div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-86307924375475284712010-10-24T07:39:00.000-07:002010-10-24T07:40:20.153-07:00Teen run over by trailer during Hayride of Horrors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmTbYdNNle99BQfG22CUnI3sIJnsMNjfwcM_JF9dh0WvBGxt1oB3DgyCqADC3wE4KMnPRVCvpSZWuagsNaTZrswJqIn5RcL8QO1g5wzvC1YhnB0gBPMcEktAYx-ikczvtmI0FNsC9cIvI/s1600/update101007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmTbYdNNle99BQfG22CUnI3sIJnsMNjfwcM_JF9dh0WvBGxt1oB3DgyCqADC3wE4KMnPRVCvpSZWuagsNaTZrswJqIn5RcL8QO1g5wzvC1YhnB0gBPMcEktAYx-ikczvtmI0FNsC9cIvI/s400/update101007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531622447133433042" border="0" /></a><br /><span id="widgetid_1124_articlebody">A 15-year-old boy was run over by a trailer during the Heritage Haunt event Friday night in Newhall, sheriff’s officials said Saturday.<br /><br />He is in stable condition, according to the report.<br /><br />The Hayride of Horrors volunteer was portraying a character along the hayride route as part of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society’s Halloween celebration at William S. Hart Park.<br /><br />As the victim approached the hayride trailer, he slipped and was run over by the tires of the trailer, according to the report from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and about 13 passengers were on the trailer that was being towed by a truck, according to the report.<br /><br />The victim endured significant injuries and was transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.<br /><br />The SCV Historical Society declined to comment Saturday about the incident.<br /><br />The haunted hayride, which is the longest hayride in Los Angeles County, continued Saturday during the annual Pumpkin Festival at Hart Park.</span>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-43839834143816219242010-10-24T07:37:00.001-07:002010-10-24T07:39:15.026-07:00Teenager Run Over By Trailer At Local Event<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFwZ_YXM_JWkm0ppvXrJZ2PnZoOLnffVQM0obgQk8zi3zXvq_TIrN_6wTo-LRSayDiFyIDsRdVRNg9zMhYWuzI2YcRoTCCnf2R0tS29xWOIeg58NuEZfaIFKyiM7HECRwp6YIpkZH2cIu/s1600/update101006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFwZ_YXM_JWkm0ppvXrJZ2PnZoOLnffVQM0obgQk8zi3zXvq_TIrN_6wTo-LRSayDiFyIDsRdVRNg9zMhYWuzI2YcRoTCCnf2R0tS29xWOIeg58NuEZfaIFKyiM7HECRwp6YIpkZH2cIu/s400/update101006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531621901867187682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><table class="contentpaneopen"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top"> <span class="small"> Written by Christopher Glotfelty </span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="createdate" valign="top"> Saturday, 23 October 2010 14:31 </td></tr></tbody></table><br />According to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, on Friday night, a 15-year-old male was accidentally run over by a trailer during a Halloween-themed event at William S. Hart Park in Old Town Newhall.<br /><br />The teenager was playing a character in the Heritage Haunt Hayride of Nightmares, the longest and largest hayride in Los Angeles County. Upon going to entertain some attendees in the trailer, which was reportedly carrying 13 people, he slipped, fell and was run over by the trailer.<br /><br />The trailer was being towed by a pick-up truck when the accident occurred.<br /><br />The victim was treated at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital for significant injuries, but is currently listed in stable condition.Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-54971067452549055002010-10-24T07:34:00.000-07:002010-10-24T07:36:29.145-07:00Child dies on festival hay ride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zGhrU8qMWIO4nMp6PB5iRx5OpcwUOrS1Fq9Vkx97aRgugmbGjNKSDjx0vOZICKQeC9hstVsLPrKMZEazLhe0ULeqQ6fW2KXSNoF2to5kxCPS4wuRnS5uIgWdOdAk5FlZaF4fadEk7k6O/s1600/update101005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 73px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zGhrU8qMWIO4nMp6PB5iRx5OpcwUOrS1Fq9Vkx97aRgugmbGjNKSDjx0vOZICKQeC9hstVsLPrKMZEazLhe0ULeqQ6fW2KXSNoF2to5kxCPS4wuRnS5uIgWdOdAk5FlZaF4fadEk7k6O/s400/update101005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531621177094657106" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><div id="story_text_top"><p>WOOLMARKET — A 12-year-old boy, injured at a church festival tonight, has died. Timothy Kirby, the son of Rev. Edwin Kirby, pastor of First United Methodist Church, died from blunt force trauma to the head, said Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove. Timothy and some other children were jumping on and off a hay ride and “got tangled in the wheels on the trailer,” Hargrove said.</p><p>The accident occurred about 7:50 p.m. He was treated at the scene and taken to Biloxi Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:10 p.m.</p><p>The church is located on Mississippi 67 North. </p> </div> <div id="story_text_remaining"> <p> Read more about it in tomorrow’s Sun Herald. </p></div><span><br /><br />Read more: <a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13HrJi0tQ">http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/22/2578408/child-dies-on-festival-hay-ride.html#ixzz13HrJi0tQ</a></span></div></div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-47266873970021067192010-10-24T07:33:00.001-07:002010-10-24T07:34:19.488-07:00Ypsilanti teenager meets rescuers who saved his life after hayride accident<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoR9lPz6oqQ5bdSIVi-2mcB6aETXgFjqDpg2yRb13aLgoy6oT_oKozQc0ZnTvjZ_GhFpe06ppdSFzG8hyphenhyphenTm3SSfK6a1FLY7vkmjCPmzyAB7J8qXx28QVPwrQd9TKmUb_-YGXRHXaEVoS5j/s1600/update101004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 50px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoR9lPz6oqQ5bdSIVi-2mcB6aETXgFjqDpg2yRb13aLgoy6oT_oKozQc0ZnTvjZ_GhFpe06ppdSFzG8hyphenhyphenTm3SSfK6a1FLY7vkmjCPmzyAB7J8qXx28QVPwrQd9TKmUb_-YGXRHXaEVoS5j/s400/update101004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531620824721497010" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="posted">Posted: Mar 31, 2010 at 8:44 AM [Mar 31, 2010] </p> <p>The day 14-year-old <strong>Jordan Hogg</strong> was injured in a hayride accident, doctors weren't sure he'd live, and if he did, they predicted he'd have to endure a lengthy recovery period in the hospital.</p> <p>But Jordan did live and left the hospital long before doctors expected. Monday, he got the chance to thank his rescuers personally in a tearful gathering in Hamburg Township, the Livingston Daily <a href="http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20100331/NEWS01/3310310">reports</a>.</p> <p>Jordan suffered serious injuries last Oct. 17 when he fell off the hayride trailer and it ran over him, the article said. The trailer crushed his airway, and one of his legs was wrapped around its axle.</p> <p>At the Hamburg Township Fire Station Monday, Jordan and his mom, Amy Hogg, thanked the emergency responders who saved his life.</p> <p>"My heart is so full, it feels so good to tell these people I'm thankful," Jordan told the Livingston Daily. "They saved me. You know, it's like they're brothers and sisters."</p> <p><a href="http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20100331/NEWS01/3310310/Injury-victim-meets-his-rescuers">Read the Livingston Daily article</a>.</p>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-70800643992358583402010-10-24T07:27:00.000-07:002010-10-24T07:32:57.510-07:00A nine-year-old who was severely injured when he fell from a Halloween hayride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVe9yavpQRdR9BhhqShQOAC4hDL-i73rxGj43GlFh7XBXQJSZP4ePKBVOEDOY5z6dHLsQ_d6tXkjdThLSR1zZpWOFShP40-SD_g0hd3HLmiCa9t8m2HyJdMTurmEpsxPXmcGAk5gR2Rwf/s1600/update101002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVe9yavpQRdR9BhhqShQOAC4hDL-i73rxGj43GlFh7XBXQJSZP4ePKBVOEDOY5z6dHLsQ_d6tXkjdThLSR1zZpWOFShP40-SD_g0hd3HLmiCa9t8m2HyJdMTurmEpsxPXmcGAk5gR2Rwf/s400/update101002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531619728063425426" border="0" /></a><h1 class="title">Charity Home Run Derby Hits a Home Run</h1> <p class="subheader">Event organized by two local fifth graders to help family of nine-year-old injured in Halloween hayride accident.</p> By <span class="vcard NS_2ft3852c7u"><a href="http://baskingridge.patch.com/users/terry-boudreau" class="author fn">Terry Boudreau</a></span> and <span class="vcard NS_2ft3852c7u"><a href="http://baskingridge.patch.com/users/linda-sadlouskos-2" class="author fn">Linda Sadlouskos</a></span> <span class="divider NS_2ft3852c7u"><br /></span> <p>It couldn't have been a warmer welcome to Basking Ridge.</p> <p>The family of Jacob George, a nine-year-old who was severely injured when he fell from a Halloween hayride two years ago, got a boost in both funding and morale on Sunday when the little boy was the beneficiary of a Home Run Derby last weekend.</p> <p>The Home Run Derby for Jacob was the idea of 10-year-old James Catapano and his best friend, Danny Gattoni, both fifth graders at the township's Cedar Hill School. Counting some previous donations, the boys and Sunday's derby have raised $7,500 to help Jacob's family, new residents who recently moved in from neighboring Long Hill Township.</p> <p>The Home Run Derby attracted almost 90 participants in grades 4 to 6, and</p> <p> at least 250 people overall at the event held Sunday afternoon at the Basking Ridge Little League off Valley Road, said John Catapano, James' father. All of the participating ballplayers received prizes, sports memorabilia and even got to meet Oakland A's hitter and outfielder Jack Cust, he said. Cust, a New Jersey resident, stopped by to greet children and make a generous donation, John Catapano said. </p> <p>"It was very spiritual," the older Catapano said of the afternoon. About 100 children lined up to touch and shake the hand of Jacob, whose parents brought him in his wheelchair for about an hour or so, he said.</p> "It was so heartening. There's a tremendous burden on us," said Geor ge Avirappattu, Jacob's father. The family just moved into the township at the end of September, he said<br /><br /><h1 class="title"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg6BZO6uanjnexF_5Zr3uCS0fvvIWdxykh09EmYixDCeEqzzUzQe4EymUODEDBlCULsM6e5Mlp4XjMT-736_JBjWi4-8AvpX1dzyiwlfxxeqDJmITX6qKQcXhdqIGKdHO9edx9VVoEE5b/s1600/update101003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg6BZO6uanjnexF_5Zr3uCS0fvvIWdxykh09EmYixDCeEqzzUzQe4EymUODEDBlCULsM6e5Mlp4XjMT-736_JBjWi4-8AvpX1dzyiwlfxxeqDJmITX6qKQcXhdqIGKdHO9edx9VVoEE5b/s400/update101003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531620270935082770" border="0" /></a></h1><br />Friends reaching out to help a new friend: Little Leaguers Justin Pavlik, James Catapano and Matthew Page before Sunday afternoon's Home Run Derby, organized on Sunday at the Basking Ridge Little League complex to raise funds for Jacob George, a 9-year-old boy who recently moved into the township. Two years ago, Jacob was severely injured and incapacitated when he fell off a Halloween hayride. James came up with the idea after learning about Jacob at O'Bagel in Dewey Meadow Village. He helped bring together the event by working with his best friend, Danny Gattoni, another fifth grader at the township's Cedar Hill Elementary School. The derby drew about 90 participants in grades 4 to 6, said John Catapano, James' father. Along with other donations, the derby has raised about $7,500 to assist Jacob's family in building a shower that can accommodate a wheelchair or to purchase some other therapeutic equipment for the boy, Catapano said. <span class="credit"> Credit <span class="vcard"><a href="http://baskingridge.patch.com/users/terry-boudreau" class="fn">Terry Boudreau</a></span> </span><br /><br /><span class="divider NS_2ft3852c7u"><br /></span>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-42104220732379043452010-10-24T07:25:00.000-07:002010-10-24T07:27:36.277-07:0027 Injured In Church Hayride Crash<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogodE47hDHQowhapAMaYMcmFkzKAV6PkA4xhiurqolQemOt4XLy0xPuZJ9_60sznejDvcSSVqMJrMDeEEpik35s9A3tcZAhbX9V9f_9aphqI3JE1o4DmUrKUS0_CEQsE0E0vqPVl1aVp-/s1600/update101001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 66px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogodE47hDHQowhapAMaYMcmFkzKAV6PkA4xhiurqolQemOt4XLy0xPuZJ9_60sznejDvcSSVqMJrMDeEEpik35s9A3tcZAhbX9V9f_9aphqI3JE1o4DmUrKUS0_CEQsE0E0vqPVl1aVp-/s400/update101001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531619149875320466" border="0" /></a><div class="storyHead"><br /><h1 class="Headline">27 Injured In Church Hayride Crash</h1></div><p class="storyDateTime"><span class="posted">Posted: 11:45 am EDT October 18, 2010</span><span class="updated">Updated: 12:01 pm EDT October 18, 2010</span></p><strong class="Dateline">DOUGLAS, Ga. -- </strong>Two people were in serious condition after a car struck a trailer carrying a church group on a hayride in Douglas, injuring 27 people.Pastor Hilton Martin told the Waycross Journal-Herald that the accident happened Friday night when a car hit a trailer being pulled slowly along Route 64. The names of the victims were not immediately available. All are expected to survive.The pastor said the trailer was supposed to be on the road a short distance before turning off. He said the hayride's driver saw the car approaching from behind but thought there was enough time to safely travel the span.The impact tossed one victim into the road. Another person's leg was broken in three places and required surgery. <i>Copyright 2010</i>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-54635051811424253312010-10-02T05:15:00.000-07:002010-10-02T05:20:01.776-07:00WASHTENAW COUNTY: Mother warns of dangers involving hayrides after son's tragedy Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYXOrT8Bz3GFj-JY01gzn5gdcIX5SpebI-m0kdpIl6JkvhXmIZGeggnmTlGyPYJJtBk2G0eCFVYJxqL50pfr2pf7evS10BmWma-cj7olcIQYM26Odpbvg8mQqqBa_cCng1j0IqRsRfyWv/s1600/Update08050910.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYXOrT8Bz3GFj-JY01gzn5gdcIX5SpebI-m0kdpIl6JkvhXmIZGeggnmTlGyPYJJtBk2G0eCFVYJxqL50pfr2pf7evS10BmWma-cj7olcIQYM26Odpbvg8mQqqBa_cCng1j0IqRsRfyWv/s400/Update08050910.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523422031070779458" border="0" /></a><br /><h1 class="story_headline">WASHTENAW COUNTY: Mother warns of dangers involving hayrides after son's tragedy</h1> <p class="story_timestamp">Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2010</p><p class="story_timestamp"> </p><p> </p> <p class="byline">By Steven Howard, Heritage Newspapers</p> It only took a split second for a beloved fall tradition to permanently alter the life of Milan High School student Jordan Hogg, and his mother, Amy, is now speaking out on the potential hidden dangers associated with hayrides.<br /><br />In October 2009, Jordan was a passenger on a hayride as part of a seasonal outing with his church's youth group.<br /><br />"Jordan was sitting on top of the utility trailer on top of a bail of hay," Amy Hogg said, citing the presence of another family member participating in the ride.<br /><br />After going over a small bump at a low speed, something went wrong.<br /><br />"My niece said to me, 'I was looking at him one minute and the next he was gone,'" Hogg said.<br /><br />Jordan had fallen off the trailer, attempting to hang on to a bail of hay that went with him in the fall.<br /><br />Once on the ground, he went under the wheel of the wagon, which ran over his head and tangled his leg in the spokes.<br /><br />Given the extent of his injuries, Hogg said Jordan was not expected to survive, with responding firefighters telling her the prognosis was not good.<br /><br />"They didn't expect him to live," she said.<br /><br />However, Jordan did survive, but is still struggling with brain damage and other physical problems associated with the accident.<br /><br />He has various doctor appointments most every day.<br /><br />"He deals with migraines and a lot of cramping in his legs," she said. "His brain is trying to reroute around the dead area."<br /><br />Hogg said she doesn't want anyone else to have to go through the struggle that Jordan and her family have dealt with for the last year.<br /><br />That is why she has begun to advocate precaution as hayride season gets under way.<br /><br />"I am not asking people to not have, or go on, hayrides," she said, "but I am asking people to use common sense when doing these things."<br /><br />Hogg said utility trailers are not regulated the way cars and other vehicles are, so it's up to parents to use common sense to determine if the wagon in question is appropriately safe for their children.<br /><br />"Make sure there are sides on the trailer," she said, indicating the need for all passengers to be seated low and within the confines of the railings.<br /><br />Hogg said one of Jordan's biggest mistakes was not sitting properly on the wagon, which wouldn't have been possible if railings existed.<br /><br />"They need to have rails," she said. "If they don't have rails, they shouldn't be on them."<br /><br />Another safety concern, said Hogg, is the lack of available communication between the back of the trailer and the driver.<br /><br />The noise associated with the tractor's engine is enough to prevent the driver from hearing important information, Hogg said, such as the need to stop in case of an emergency.<br /><br />"Make sure there is some way to communicate between the people in the back of the wagon and the person driving," she said.<br /><br />Hogg also warns that simply because an adult is present on the hayride, parents should not let down their guard.<br /><br />"There were adults on with Jordan," she said, adding these types of accidents often happen so fast no one has proper time to react.<br /><br />Most of all, Hogg said parents shouldn't assume because they have participated in hayrides in the past without witnessing any severe injuries that it is not possible.<br /><br />"There are deaths every year from this," she said.<br /><br />With a bit of precaution, Hogg said other families can avoid the pain and suffering her family had had to endure over the past year.<br /><br />"I would never wish another family to go through what we did," she said. "You wouldn't let your kid sit on the window of a car, so don't let them sit on the side of a trailer."<br /><br />Hogg said she intends to eventually gather her precautionary advice in the form of a website and continue to advocate for safer hayrides.<br /><br />"Educate yourself before writing this whole thing off to a mom taking an accident and going overboard with it," she said. "Get on the Internet and read for yourself."<br /><br /><strong>Steven Howard can be reached at 429-7380 or <a href="mailto:showard@heritage.com">showard@heritage.com</a>. Follow his blog at <a href="http://heritageweststaffblog.blogspot.com/">http://heritageweststaffblog.blogspot.com</a>.</strong>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-73916046266335445802010-10-02T04:56:00.001-07:002010-10-02T04:57:52.864-07:00Boy, 13, injured in parade-float accident It happend again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wjxq6QVZ7NzVkJabNUdwU9lPco_gdmHCUssxUgIGb1FfbPl2RCqq1pXdVNpPMweVXMHkkAGW2DzBpcdzHvvX9ih62P57RIYpE1xNvVYg5nqI4JhT9AJnuP-vddQ_LO6UMb8HPBvl_69T/s1600/Update08050908.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 64px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wjxq6QVZ7NzVkJabNUdwU9lPco_gdmHCUssxUgIGb1FfbPl2RCqq1pXdVNpPMweVXMHkkAGW2DzBpcdzHvvX9ih62P57RIYpE1xNvVYg5nqI4JhT9AJnuP-vddQ_LO6UMb8HPBvl_69T/s400/Update08050908.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523416518807919538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://siouxcityjournal.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=By%20Russ%20OechslinJournal%20correspondent"> <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn">By Russ Oechslin Journal correspondent</span></span> </a> <span class="hide source-org vcard"><span class="org fn">Sioux City Journal</span></span> | Posted: <span class="updated" title="2010-10-01T17:40:00Z">Friday, October 1, 2010 5:40 pm</span> | <a id="comment_322083aa-cdad-11df-bf6e-001cc4c002e0" class="blox-comment" href="http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_322083aa-cdad-11df-bf6e-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=comments">Loading…</a><br /><br /><p>MILFORD, Iowa -- A 13-year-old boy suffered unspecified injuries this afternoon when he was apparently run over by the wheels of a parade float used earlier in the Okoboji High School homecoming parade.</p> <p>Okoboji Community Schools Superintendent Bob Miller said the sixth-grader was taken to Lakes Area Regional Health Center by ambulance with an air splint on his leg. He said he believed the boy's injuries were not life-threatening.</p> <p>The boy, whose name was not released, had been riding on the float as a member of a sixth-grade youth football team, according to Milford Police Chief Vernon Flack.</p> <p>The incident occurred in the football field parking lot shortly after 3 p.m. as other students were leaving on the float to go to another school.</p> <p>Flack was still investigating and talking with those at the scene late this afternoon and said he did not know who was driving the float when the accident happened.</p> <p>Flack added that the boy was conscious and talking in the ambulance.</p>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-50879539629768447022010-10-01T08:30:00.000-07:002010-10-01T08:40:26.959-07:00Hayride Goes Haywire, Injured Students To Be OK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jrkgGVKQQMJKUDjNapZwnpHfFdFZvL7byzpGkFwoR-PybRq-Eq88USmwpSiEx_hvyoWAVXZC2TIf32OhjRsQWb5otmFD8B2iESyH4KnEtuTB7Tk_ql-hTJMfkA0F-UyWaRRIUXX_VlH9/s1600/Update08050905.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jrkgGVKQQMJKUDjNapZwnpHfFdFZvL7byzpGkFwoR-PybRq-Eq88USmwpSiEx_hvyoWAVXZC2TIf32OhjRsQWb5otmFD8B2iESyH4KnEtuTB7Tk_ql-hTJMfkA0F-UyWaRRIUXX_VlH9/s400/Update08050905.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523101912726847538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><h1 class="title">Hayride Goes Haywire, Injured Students To Be OK</h1><h3 class="author"> </h3><h3 class="author"><br /></h3><h3 class="author">By Elizabeth Braun, Lauren Leamanczyk, Heather Shannon, Jay Sorgi, and Vince Vitrano </h3> <div class="storyinfo"> <p><span class="createdate">Story Created: Sep 29, 2010 </span> </p> <p><span class="moddate">Story Updated: Oct 1, 2010 </span> </p> </div> <p>FREDONIA - The principal of Ozaukee High School says that three of the five students that went to a hospital after an accident during a homecoming celebration will probably attend school Thursday.</p> <p>"They're all fine," said Principal Kevin Parker on 620WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News" on Thursday morning.<br /><br />Parents say every year just before the powder puff football game, juniors ride in a hay wagon or trailer while seniors throw water balloons, ketchup, powdered sugar and other things at them.<br /><br />Witnesses say this year the girls in the wagon all moved to one side to avoid getting hit, and the trailer tipped over because of the weight and trapped them underneath.<br /><br />Megan Janke was in the wagon when it happened.</p> <p>"Everyone leaned to one side and it was like slow motion and it went down and it landed on some people," says Janke to TODAY'S TMJ4's Heather Shannon.</p><p><br /></p><p>"Everyone was screaming and trying to get out, and started lifting it back up and everyone was still in the wagon, so people were just jumping all over the place."</p> <p>Screams could be heard as the wagon tipped over, then sires replaced screams as ambulances races to the accident location.</p> <p>"The wagon was on top of (one girl's) leg," said Brook Scheller, who was riding on the wagon.</p> <p>The injuries were limited to banged-up legs, ankles and hips - nothing that was life-threatening.</p> <p>One of the injured girls was Aman Gill. Her father tells TODAY'S TMJ Reporter Lauren Leamanczyk that the girls had spent all week preparing for the event. "The girls had so much fun," he said.</p> <p>Gill says his daughter was crying and in pain at the hospital. She suffered a bruised hip and strained her neck. Aman returned to school Thursday.</p> <p>Despite his daughter's injuries, Gill says he doesn't want the tradition to end.<br /><br />Parker said that the event which led to the accident will be reviewed as to whether it will happen in future years.</p> <p>Parker also explained that the homecoming events for the weekend will continue.</p>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-8858404783228220572010-10-01T08:07:00.000-07:002010-10-01T08:17:06.583-07:00Tragic death of Nicholls student devastates community Katelyn Thibodeaux Issue date: 9/30/10 Section: News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVE3p_oC5nuvrCLnPUzD858LCBbVMyxcTIgvJ3zP9SP40JClWczfs-g6FWC0urWGCifBgVe7wRBot8wH3W54WWzfly6JJzyaXAmaUHVb7jjeKzgekxFw5sHAbVsyFXk-f2Zfg9PGI7GXx/s1600/update08050902.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVE3p_oC5nuvrCLnPUzD858LCBbVMyxcTIgvJ3zP9SP40JClWczfs-g6FWC0urWGCifBgVe7wRBot8wH3W54WWzfly6JJzyaXAmaUHVb7jjeKzgekxFw5sHAbVsyFXk-f2Zfg9PGI7GXx/s400/update08050902.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523095167244298290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0aGUlJeNBYRDRB3BSnmA4NFvPEOEKcwDm-LlNPEWiyCdOanFWpKc5JP6udmbyJLj0z_v1DKqAh8sM7375viIrowCIzxSDJMOJhdz4PtnHSE-IqIE_d9oLQJtRkiwRDtcxQCxnyuE2dRa/s1600/Update08050904.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0aGUlJeNBYRDRB3BSnmA4NFvPEOEKcwDm-LlNPEWiyCdOanFWpKc5JP6udmbyJLj0z_v1DKqAh8sM7375viIrowCIzxSDJMOJhdz4PtnHSE-IqIE_d9oLQJtRkiwRDtcxQCxnyuE2dRa/s400/Update08050904.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523095163215990610" border="0" /></a><br /><h2>Tragic death of Nicholls student devastates community</h2> <h4>Katelyn Thibodeaux</h4> <div id="meta"><strong>Issue date:</strong> 9/30/10 <strong>Section:</strong> <a href="http://www.thenichollsworth.com/news/2010/09/30/News/" title="News">News</a><br /><br />The Nicholls community, family, friends and the men of Kappa Alpha fraternity mourn the loss of a fallen brother.<br /><br />Nathan Trepagnier, 19, was killed Saturday when he fell off of the Kappa Alpha hayride and was run over on Bowie Rd. during Homecoming festivities. Witnesses said they thought he was trying to re-position himself when he fell.<br /><br />"It was really just a freak accident," Nathan's father, Wilfred Trepagnier Jr., said. "There's nobody to blame. It was just an unfortunate accident."<br /><br />However, Nathan's family and friends are no longer talking about his death but his life.<br /><br />Every friend of Nathan described him as an amazing person who lived an amazing life.<br /><br />"He was quiet, but he was very strong internally, and that's what people liked about him," Wilfred said.<br /><br />Most people referred to Nathan as "selfless," and this shows in a post on his Facebook wall from Hailey Garner.<br /><br />"First off, I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life when I was younger and jumping in a pool with your clothes on and no floaties," Garner said. "I don't think I ever got the chance to really thank you for that, and I wish I had."<br /><br />Nathan attended Holy Rosary High School in Metairie, La, which was established for his freshman year in 2005. He had previously attended Holy Rosary Academy for grade school.<br /><br />Michael Binder, Holy Rosary principal, said Nathan was a vital part in establishing the high school.<br /><br />"He created a Holy Rosary High School application himself and submitted it before we had a faculty, a campus or even an application form," Binder said. "He participated in much of the planning of HRHS, including student activities, spirit and the make-up of the school. He selected the senior ring that our students now wear and helped develop our school's crest. Nathan earned many distinctions during his high school years, including becoming the Valedictorian of his senior class."<br /><br />At HRHS, Nathan started the student council and eventually became the president. Binder said he was an extraordinary minister of communion and the lead alter server.<br /><br />"I admired him for how good of a person he was," Binder said. "He was able to help people who needed help, and he was able to lead when we needed a student leader. He made a huge impression on me and the rest of the school and community as well."<br /><br />Nathan also had an impact on his teachers. <br /><br />"Nathan always struck me as a man who lived life to the fullest with few, if any, regrets," Bernard De Santis III, one of Nathan's high school teachers, said. "Such a life prepares one for one's own death whenever it may come and leads to eternal life afterwards. My sorrow is much less for Nathan than for myself and the countless others who were not prepared for his passing."<br /><br />Nathan even had an impact on those he met only in passing.<br /><br />"Nathan was an incredible person for the few times I ever interacted with him and just an all around great guy," Veronica Wilkins, student at Holy Rosary, said. "They say things happen for a reason, but things like this, we wish wouldn't. What's happened is extremely tragic, but its gotten all of us to come to reality and know not to take advantage of anything and be grateful for what we have, because it could be gone in a matter of seconds."<br /><br />The Nicholls community had the same reaction as much of his grade school and high school peers.<br /><br />The day of Nathan's death, the Greek community at Nicholls put aside their war and came together unlike ever before for a prayer service in memory of Nathan.<br /><br />"I never thought I would experience such shock in my life," Lacey Angeron, junior and this year's homecoming queen, said in a Facebook comment to Nathan after his passing. "We'll miss you around this place, buddy. I wish our love could bring you back. I'm so glad I got to know you. You wouldn't imagine the impact you had on the Greek community at Nicholls today. You'd be proud."<br /><br />Nathan's fraternity brothers' comments could not be published due to National rules and limitations.<br /><br />Nathan's Facebook wall was flooded with comments from students, friends, family and fraternity brothers with everything from personal notes written to Nathan, to those expressing how much of an impact he had in their life.<br /><br />Wilfred, Nathan's father, left his son a comment while expressing his thankfulness to everyone who also left comments. <br /><br />"Nathan-my love, my son. I will never forget you as long as I live. I know you're sitting at the right side of God. To all the people who wrote on this wall, just a thank you from my heart. Please keep Nathan in your prayers, and God bless each and every one of you," Wilfred said.<br /><br />Priscilla Toups Pendzimaz, Nathan's grandmother and a 1985 Nicholls alumna, said that she, "in her deepest sorrow, is happy that Nathan was enjoying himself when God called him home. He will live forever in all of his family's hearts."<br /><br />Pendzimaz, as well as Nathan's parents, an aunt and an uncle, were Nicholls alumni. Nathan was a legacy in Kappa Alpha Fraternity as well as the current Treasurer.<br /><br />Visitation for Nathan is tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.?at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd.,?Metairie.<br /><br />Tomorrow's visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11a.m.?with the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church,?3368 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans.<br /><br />**This is a note written by Tori Read, a friend and former girlfriend of Nathan.**<br /><br />Nathan,<br /><br />I think we both know that we have to thank our friend, Christian Odum, for suggesting me to be your date to your junior prom. I am forever grateful to him for that. I also will never forget the day that you told me you loved me. That was the most terrifying but amazing moment in my life, because I knew that when you said those words to me, really deep down in your heart, you cared. I have never felt that connection with any other man but you, and I believe that says something. You loved me for who I really was. You didn't question anything; you just loved me for me as I loved you. You have made such an impact on our school (Holy Rosary). I hope you know that. Just today, the faculty and I were talking about how everything in the school that is what it is today is all because of you. You put your heart and soul into everything you did for our school, and it definitely shows. I have always admired that about you. Even though I am still coping with your death, I can rest a little easier now because I know that even though you are not here with all of those who love you on earth, you are now our guardian angel, always protecting, watching and loving each and every one of us. When my time comes, I will be waiting to meet you at God's heavenly gates where we can be reunited, where I will see that wonderful bright smile of yours that I miss so much. I'm always thinking about you and always praying for you and your family. I will be there for them. I know you know that, so you don't have to worry. I love you always and dearly, my knight in shining armor. You will forever hold a special place in my heart, my love. I am always listening for you.<br /><br />Love,<br />Tori Read<br /><br /><br /><br />We are devastated to be aware of yet another loss of life due to Parade Float Accidents.<br /><br />Please...Please go to www.dangeroustrailers.org and take note....see specifically<br />http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Out of this tragedy...we can join forces and prevent this from happening to others!! That is what we have been trying to do for over 8 years!<br /><br />If our Government Officials had taken our advice and had a Standard safety check list for all parades then this might not have happen.<br /><br />Please see what a father in Maine tried to do over 8 years ago!!!<br />Would Float Railing Have Prevented N.H. Parade Tragedy?<br /><br />http://dangeroustrailersparadefloat.blogspot.com/2008/02/would-float-railing-have-prevented-nh.html<br /><br />Lets try and prevent "Others" from loosing their lives by the same thing!!!!!!! WE just need help!<br /></div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-2858881238051462010-10-01T07:50:00.000-07:002010-10-01T07:53:45.998-07:00Accident halts Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2LVzN0aFxtKVjFXBvsJId51vms7Or8q0SJhDGcd7Vm4dzQYqTkBDZL8xD5vxqmWOSBYQUzq-yYrbhlAnRvhPETmtPlIZlVHbUo_BfUomyoclwm8xRS37jWvyQKAC9_trz6NQ4FykW3Y1/s1600/Update08050901.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 65px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2LVzN0aFxtKVjFXBvsJId51vms7Or8q0SJhDGcd7Vm4dzQYqTkBDZL8xD5vxqmWOSBYQUzq-yYrbhlAnRvhPETmtPlIZlVHbUo_BfUomyoclwm8xRS37jWvyQKAC9_trz6NQ4FykW3Y1/s400/Update08050901.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523090811901932274" border="0" /></a><br /><h3 class="">Accident halts Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade</h3><em class="wnDate">Posted: Sep 30, 2010 10:16 PM EDT </em><em class="wnDate">Thursday, September 30, 2010 10:16 PM EST</em> <em class="wnDate">Updated: Sep 30, 2010 10:40 PM EDT </em><div id="WNStoryBody" class=""><p>LA CROSSE, Wis. -- An accident on La Crosse's north side drove the Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade to a complete stop.</p> <p>La Crosse Police on the scene told NewsChannel 8 that a boy handing out candy on a float leaned too far forward and fell. The float ran over the bottom part of his body. According to witnesses, bystanders had to lift the float off the boy.</p> <p>The accident occurred at the intersection of Gillette and Avon Street.</p> <p>Paramedics on bikes were the first to arrive. An ambulance and other emergency crews maneuvered through the parade route to arrive on the scene.</p> <p>The boy was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.</p> <p>The parade was halted for a half-hour.</p></div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-57034208675845734822010-10-01T07:09:00.000-07:002010-10-01T07:50:15.960-07:00Torchlight goes on despite accident...boy Falls From Trailer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIee5G_9BYa3GHWuGbagAAh89zQu8M2C5NJmGFqTAb-5AgG6ymqHvTIjN4vmQik8vHFtEIuSGVWrirgYd3TZYP7KibGA4PvbFZhuQoDklVMjzWwE3XrblZFyg7Mn6OXiicrfmYVHMaoLV/s1600/Update08050900.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIee5G_9BYa3GHWuGbagAAh89zQu8M2C5NJmGFqTAb-5AgG6ymqHvTIjN4vmQik8vHFtEIuSGVWrirgYd3TZYP7KibGA4PvbFZhuQoDklVMjzWwE3XrblZFyg7Mn6OXiicrfmYVHMaoLV/s400/Update08050900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523080158645749250" border="0" /></a><br /> <div id="blox-breadcrumbs"> <a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/">Home</a> / <a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/news">News</a> / <a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local">Local</a> </div> <p class="sub-headline">Dark note to parade of lights</p> <h1>Torchlight goes on despite accident</h1><br /> <div id="blox-breadcrumbs"> <a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/">Home</a> / <a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/news">News</a> / <a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local">Local</a> </div> <p class="sub-headline">Dark note to parade of lights</p> <h1>Torchlight goes on despite accident</h1> <ul id="blox-body-nav"><li><a class="selected" href="http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_22016500-cd14-11df-8352-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story"><span>Story</span></a></li><li><a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_22016500-cd14-11df-8352-001cc4c03286.html?mode=comments"><span>Discussion</span></a></li><li><a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_22016500-cd14-11df-8352-001cc4c03286.html?mode=image"><span>Image <em>(2)</em></span></a></li></ul> <span class="bookmark hide"><a class="url entry-title" href="http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_22016500-cd14-11df-8352-001cc4c03286.html" rel="bookmark">Torchlight goes on despite accident</a></span> <a href="http://lacrossetribune.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=By%20K%C3%A4ri%20Knutson%20%20%7C%20%20kknutson@lacrossetribune.com"> <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn">By Käri Knutson | kknutson@lacrossetribune.com</span></span> </a> <span class="hide source-org vcard"><span class="org fn">lacrossetribune.com</span></span> | Posted: <span class="updated" title="2010-10-01T00:00:00Z">Friday, October 1, 2010 12:00 am</span> |<br /><br /><div class="entry-content" id="blox-story-text"> <p>The return of Oktoberfest's nighttime Torchlight Parade was marred Thursday evening when a young boy was run over by a float, delaying the event for 30 minutes. The boy fell from a trailer decorated for Habitat for Humanity about 7:55 p.m. and slipped under the wheels near Gillette and Avon streets, witnesses said.</p> <p>A Tri-State Ambulance bike team staffing the parade route reached the boy within minutes. He quickly was taken to a local hospital, but his injuries were not considered serious or life-threatening, said Tom Tornstrom, Tri-State director of operations. The boy's name and age weren't released.</p> <p>The accident, which happened about an hour into the parade, left some onlookers shaken.</p> <p>Barb Alsobrooks and her 14-year-old daughter Desha saw the entire incident from a nearby curb.</p> <p>"I was scared. I didn't know what actually happened," Desha said, though she was reassured when she saw Tri-State staff tending to the boy.</p> <p>"He was crying for his mom," Barb Alsobrooks said. "She was right there."</p> <p>It was an unfortunate somber note to what otherwise seemed a perfect night for the illuminated event, which had to be canceled in 2009 for the first time in 38 years due to heavy rain and lightning.</p> <p>While some opted to head home early, a fair number of spectators waited out the delay.</p> <p>Mark and Crystal Wuensch said parades have become a family favorite. The Torchlight was their sixth this year with Alanna, 8, and Xander, 1.</p> <p>"I like when they throw out stuff," Alanna said.</p> <p>Her loot has included lots of candy, a football, bookmarks, string cheese and her favorite - a YMCA T-shirt.</p> <p>Xander loves the music.</p> <p>"He really rocks out," Alanna said.</p> <p>For Crystal, the parade is a tradition that began when she was a kid.</p> <p>"I love the whole thing," Crystal said. "I think I miss half the parade watching my kids."</p> <p>While Mary Freitag came to the first Torchlight Parade at age 11, she hadn't returned since.</p> <p>"It just wasn't my thing," she said.</p> <p>Now living only blocks away from the route, she decided to check it out again.</p> <p>"Now I see why they say it's exciting," she said as Parade Marshals Bill and Karen Bush passed by in a lit carriage. "Maybe next year I'll bring my grandkids."</p> </div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-2987733572183590202010-09-23T08:52:00.000-07:002010-09-23T08:54:29.390-07:00Parade accidents being investigated<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9TBnan3HTihiovxrdGui81qJ8jK340WN9CyWeGgs_Pzg4sRbv-QneY2r52ucb7ds3UOl2syvoNuoy88lOXy4kJiAgSUVbcM4qlUS_S4ZZfVrFU5fCCJTtdjUU8wLm39fXeF_rULE8xzj/s1600/update08050208.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9TBnan3HTihiovxrdGui81qJ8jK340WN9CyWeGgs_Pzg4sRbv-QneY2r52ucb7ds3UOl2syvoNuoy88lOXy4kJiAgSUVbcM4qlUS_S4ZZfVrFU5fCCJTtdjUU8wLm39fXeF_rULE8xzj/s400/update08050208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520137799595042690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLsR1dNb_yAWqUNmjvYzCBFnGzaF-Iyeeoznuwo3WNhc80MMyyBWQH8jwl56-SPt65ACmav-2qnF5uL8_B4ByGe2SXtdruOrcq8VmmX7Kj9XOR1r_n5YYm13G5HotpUvhqPyDWjkVCwLV/s1600/Update08050209.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 59px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLsR1dNb_yAWqUNmjvYzCBFnGzaF-Iyeeoznuwo3WNhc80MMyyBWQH8jwl56-SPt65ACmav-2qnF5uL8_B4ByGe2SXtdruOrcq8VmmX7Kj9XOR1r_n5YYm13G5HotpUvhqPyDWjkVCwLV/s400/Update08050209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520137792223665794" border="0" /></a><br /><h3>Parade accidents being investigated</h3> <span class="headlineNewsPubDate">By ANDREA JOHNSON, Staff Writer <a href="mailto:ajohnson@minotdailynews.com">ajohnson@minotdailynews.com</a><br /><br /></span> <div style="float: left;"> <em>POSTED: July 25, 2010<br /><br /></em><p>One moment a 5-year-old boy was waving to the crowd lining the road from a float during the North Dakota State Fair parade Saturday. Then he tripped and fell while apparently trying to jump off the float and one of his legs was run over by the wheel of the trailer. The crowd gasped in horror as the boy wailed in pain and then said he couldn't move his leg. However, the child was alert and conscious when paramedics splinted his leg and loaded him onto a stretcher to take him to the hospital.</p><p>The accident, which occurred at about 11 a.m., was the second of the day. A short time earlier, on the Burdick Expressway viaduct, a 7-year-old girl was injured when she attempted to step off a float and fell to the pavement. Both tires of the dual-axle trailer carrying the float ran over the girl, police said. That accident also happened about 11 a.m. The girl was taken to Trinity Hospital where she was treated for her injuries.</p><p>The child injured on the fairgrounds was riding on the trailer with several other youngsters. Minot police said there have been similar accidents in past years, though they couldn't remember an exact number.</p><p>Both accidents are under investigation, the one on the viaduct by the Minot Police Department and the one on the fairgrounds by the Ward County Sheriff's Department. Neither child was identified by law enforcement Saturday.</p><br /> </div>Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151768456431509045.post-70702276906200387762010-09-23T08:47:00.001-07:002010-09-23T08:48:42.085-07:00St. Michael boy injured in Rogers parade float accident<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3QSilA1oXWQ49N_xpDezSo69q8nMn_on9tjtN5CNmOFaGB0LIFZgVWjHOttN00SaisG_-3ZGew6YhLpfoAle96khBJdfqTKKtg3lb8ae3q11wI6XF6CUXU_jLgjKq8gQ9Cv9sX6ffd8t/s1600/Update08050207.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3QSilA1oXWQ49N_xpDezSo69q8nMn_on9tjtN5CNmOFaGB0LIFZgVWjHOttN00SaisG_-3ZGew6YhLpfoAle96khBJdfqTKKtg3lb8ae3q11wI6XF6CUXU_jLgjKq8gQ9Cv9sX6ffd8t/s400/Update08050207.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520136357030334338" border="0" /></a><br /><h1 class="headline">St. Michael boy injured in Rogers parade float accident</h1> <div style="float: right;"> <style>#zoomClose { position: absolute; top: -5px; right: -5px; z-index: 999; }#zoomClose:hover { cursor: pointer; }#ZoomSpin { position: absolute; display: none; z-index: 9999; }</style> <div id="ZoomSpin"><img src="http://www.pressnews.com/art/zoom/zoom-spin-0.png" id="SpinImage" /></div> </div> <h4 class="byline">by Mindy Mateuszczyk</h4> <div class="timestamp">Published: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 1:22 PM CDT</div> <h5 class="lead">What started as a day of sunshine and celebration took a turn for the worse with a float accident injuring a St. Michael boy.</h5><br /><br /> Hundreds of parade watchers lined Main Street and Memorial Drive in Rogers Saturday, June 26, for the annual Rockin' Rogers Days parade. Rogers Police Chief Jeff Luther barely completed the parade route from his spot near the front of the line when he, along with several other police and rescue workers, responded to a parade float accident.<br /><br />Reportedly, a nine-year-old boy was sitting in front of the wheel well of a trailer on the Hampton Inn float. As the driver made the right turn from Main Street to Memorial Drive the boy's foot was caught under the wheel and he was pulled off the trailer.<br /><br />Witness reports varied stating the trailer wheel rolled over the boy's legs, chest and head. However, police were unable to confirm or deny these reports. Dan and Kathy Wagner were sitting at the corner watching the parade and witnessed the incident. Dan Wagner said the whole thing happened so fast the boy didn't yell or make a sound but the crowd did once they saw what happened. He perceived that the driver stopped immediately upon hearing the crowd's reaction preventing further injury.<br /><br /> Within minutes, several police responded, transferred the boy to a spine-board and transported him to North Memorial Hospital. Minutes later Chief Luther escorted the boy's mother, who was also on the float, to the hospital.<br /><br />While police commented the boy appeared in stable condition as he was transported, Luther issued a statement Wednesday, June 30, confirming the boy sustained some lacerations to his right ear and assorted abrasions to his hands and knees.<br /><br />"Considering the potential devastating injuries that he could have sustained, the boy is both fortunate and resilient," said Luther. He went on to say the injuries might require further corrective or cosmetic surgery.<br /><br />He called the incident a rare and unfortunate circumstance. However, the situation will be including in the debriefing of Rockin' Rogers Days to occur between the police department and the Rogers Lions.<br /><br />"We had some weather events that required temporary evacuation to the Community Center, the parade incident and some other situations throughout the weekend," he said. "Our first priority is the safety and welfare of visitors to Rockin' Rogers, so it only makes good sense to review the event afterwards to try improving upon our ability to be prepared in future years."<br /><br />Luther said incidents related to alcohol were significantly reduced compared to the previous year.Ron Melanconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07856693100553559754noreply@blogger.com0