Snatch Strap Tragedy in Queensland

[Sharky]

A sad story...

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/broken-tow-rope-like-slingshot-killing-boy-in-back-seat-20101214-18wa0.html

Addison Yates was sitting in the back seat of a four-wheel-drive bogged in bushland mud when the hook of the tow rope being used to pull them free came loose, catapulting through the rear window like a slingshot at a speed of up to 160kmh.

The hook hit the 14-year-old boy in the head, killing him.

Details emerged today of the tragedy, which occurred outside Hervey Bay on Sunday evening.

Addison had been 'bush bashing' with two mates when they became bogged on a sodden dirt track in the Vernon Conservation Park, in Walligan.

Four friends in two other 4WDs tried to haul the vehicle out of the mud.

Addison's friends, believed to be aged between 17 and 21, connected the three 4WDs together in a convoy with snatch straps.

The region had been soaked with rain earlier in the day, but the rain continued to fall as the group tried to reverse the bogged vehicle out of the mud on Dundowran Road.

Addison sat in the back seat, facing backwards to watch the action.

But the group had underestimated the tension two vehicles would place on the towing straps.

Detective Sergeant Bruce Hodgins said the force was so great on one strap the metal hook was sheared off the tow bar and catapulted back towards Addison.

"It acted like a slingshot," Sergeant Hodgins said.

"The two vehicles put an unbelievable pressure on the strap. There was also incredible pressure on the middle vehicle.

"The hook bolts couldn't take the pressure."

The tow strap used was designed to bear a load of five tonnes, but the two vehicles created a load of about seven tonnes, Sergeant Hodgins estimated.

He said Addison and his friends often went bush bashing and were not unfamiliar with the terrain in the reserve.

"Did his friends act irresponsibly? No," the police office said.

"Did they underestimate the force of the two vehicles? Yes."

Queensland University of Technology physicists Stephen Hughes and John Barry estimated the hook would have catapulted through the rear windscreen of the 4WD at between 100 and 160kmh.

However Dr Hughes, a medical physicist, said the force would not need to be great to cause fatal head injuries.

"Even the slightest bump on the head can be fatal," he said.

"The person in this case would have suffered severe brain damage if they had not died."

Emergency crews waded through chest-deep water in a flooded creek to reach the group after searching for them for hours.

"It took some time for police and ambulance crews to get to him," Sergeant Hodgins said.

"[Addison's friends] offered what assistance they could, but they realised there was little hope."

Addison was the son of Hervey Bay Pastor Darryn Yates, who operates the Church by the Bay and a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. A widower, Pastor Yates runs the centre with his new wife, Jill, after Addison's mother Dianne died.

Friends and family expressed their grief and disbelief on social networking site Facebook yesterday.

"He was such a kind and giving person. Why did he have to die?" one friend wrote.

Anther said: "He was the nicest kid. Man you are goin' (sic) to be missed so much."

Sergeant Hodgins said the tragedy served as a warning to others planning to go four-wheel-driving in the holiday season.

"This could have happened to anyone, anywhere," he said.

"It could have been a mother, or a very young child sitting in that seat."

He recommended training courses in towing bogged vehicles to help prevent future accidents.

[2 Brutal]

There's another thread already up about it mate here somewhere, very sad for the family and friends involved, it happened less than 5km's from my place and 1 of my mates was heading 1 of the rescue crews that couldn't get to them.

[Sharky]

Sorry - Missed the earlier thread - It's just a horrible story that leapt out as warning for all of us. Even worse to take someone so young.