at Yosemite. I think that is 7 this season, because of the high water and especially-slippery rocks.
These 3 were particularly foolish, sadly, climbing over barriers to get to rocks in the middle of the fast-moving river, then fell in - all to get a picture.
Witness reports indicate that several people warned the victims verbally to not climb over the railing or go near the water.
If these folks had listened to their inner voice, and heeded the posted and verbal warnings, this tragedy would not have occurred.
Seemingly insignificant unsafe acts, coupled with unsafe conditions, create the chain of events that leads to the accident. The events leading to the accident happen relatively slowly over time. It is during this time frame that we need to stop an unsafe act, or eliminate the unsafe condition in order to prevent the accident, i.e. break the chain.
Obviously, in this case, it was not possible to eliminate the unsafe conditions. Therefore, it was up to the victims of this tragedy to break the chain by not climbing over that railing. Despite efforts, these people could not be protected from themselves.
Be aware, always, of your situation and be safe out there!
The report in the SF Chronicle this morning said 5 minutes before THIS tragedy, a man who had also crawled over the barrier, was holding a young child who was screaming, terrified, over the rushing water for a picture. Unbelievable..
Wouldn't that be a great picture?
By the casket: "The last picture of our our Angel, Jenny, before her stupid father dropped her into the icy water and she drowned"..
I read that, too, Sandy. It's simply incomprehensible. Hopefully, someone got a photographic record, and the man gets charged. There is simply no justification for this, in my opinion.
What are people thinking?! Actually, they are NOT THINKING. It's pathetic. And it results in altogether preventable tragedies. My heart goes out to the families and witnesses involved. Way too hard to learn life's lessons this way... And to put helpless/dependent children into these situations makes me flaming
The one line that made me sick to my stomach was the AP witnesses remarks: "What I will take away with me forever is the look on that grown man’s face as he was floating down that river knowing he was going to die and nobody could help them.”
Absolutely terrifying. The internet comments were not surprisingly loaded with callous comments about Darwin awards and how stupid the victims were. Yeah, at least two made a very stupid decision, but it's cruel to insult the deceased here. Most of us have made potentially dangerous and foolish choices, we've just been lucky. Ive stepped over a few railings in the name of photography. Ive been to the top of Vernal (been up half dome a couple times) and while it may seem unbelievably insane to mess around 25 feet from a raging 300 ft waterfall, the danger can easily be underestimated by the inexperienced.
I'm probably getting close to 'Hot Topics' here, but the other line that struck me was also by J Bisbee, the witness for the AP story: "They act like it's Disneyland"
Bingo! That's why i try my hardest to avoid the GC, Yosemite, Yellowstone etc in July-Aug. Because it's a Disneyland-shopping mall experience. Even if you hit the remotest back-country, you still have to go through the entrance to get there, and its a joke. IMHO, people treat the parks as Theme Parks as opposed to wilderness, because that's the message we send them. It might have made sense to envision the NPs as tourist locations 100 years ago, but it doesn't to me now. In some respects, i almost think they should remove the gaurd-rails altogether. Then, after a few hundred more people have perished, they can put one simple sign up at the base of the falls with a lengthy list of people who have drowned. Maybe then people would take heed. Maybe not.
"...and while it may seem unbelievably insane to mess around 25 feet from a raging 300 ft waterfall, the danger can easily be underestimated by the inexperienced."
Stan, this is a key observation. I believe that the vast majority of people have forgotten the dangers of swift water, steep rock, snow and ice, rockfall and avalanches, wildlife and other objective hazards that our ancestors were critically aware of in order to survive. These hazards are now outside experience in everyday life today and are routinely underestimated, as you said.
So, what do we do? Do we regulate, or educate, or a combination of these? This is merely a rhetorical question to provide food for thought.
IMHO, people treat the parks as Theme Parks as opposed to wilderness, because that's the message we send them.
Aside from increased visitation, I think this is a big part of the reason there are so many tragedies in our parks. Visitors feel safe and secure because there are nice roads, beautiful facilities, and law enforcement and EMS/Fire services available; not to mention the hype in the media. The presence of facilities and services does not negate the fact that the parks are wild, but folks are lulled into complacency regarding their personal safety.
I think a big sign should be posted at the entrance to all parks...
"Danger! Enter at Your Own Risk!"
"The Government has set aside this park for your use and enjoyment.
However, it is your reponsibilty to use the park wisely and to educate yourself about the dangers present in the park, and to exercise good judgement.
Be aware of your situation and be safety conscious at all times!"
Though possibly forlorn, it is my hope that this recent tragedy in Yosemite will be a teachable moment.
Very tragic. It might have been a stupid and unsafe act, but let's not forget - as Stan mentions - we all have done some unsafe things out there. It is tragic that people died because of curiosity and the drive to explore nature. It is not always easy to resist. Some shots need that we take some risks.But I don't want to imply that "getting the shot" justifies everything. But it is cruel that they got punished that way. I know I have done some rather unsafe things - climbing down a narrow gorge in rain, jumping over the river onto a wet rock to get a better angle into the gorge. The next day, more rain and more water and that rock was gone...
Death. I can remember my Dad making horrible calls to parents informing them of their beloved child's death in Yosemite. Dad was Chief Ranger and often the task was left to him. ...this was back in the 60's. It was so somber. He would get up, go to the kitchen phone saying, "They ought to be home." ....I will always remember him asking and telling, "You need to sit down before I continue." Now 45+ years later, I still have that image of my Dad sitting on the red kitchen chair making a few of those calls. Agree that the Disneyland aura combined with teens in groups who do role-playing as the class clown, the risk-taker, or just impressing the girl in the group was a fatal brew. Spooky and Awful. May those families find peace.
"Though possibly forlorn, it is my hope that this recent tragedy in Yosemite will be a teachable moment. "
- Preston
I'm sure that is the hope of all of us.
Sadly, the LAST hiker's death was - what? - 2 weeks ago. When i was there then, posters of the "missing and presumed drowned" hiker were all over, as well as the articles about the 2 drowned 10 days before that. Sadly, none of this seemed to have sunk in.
The comments about Yosemite and other NP's being seen as Disneyland or a Theme Park are very valid, imo. People see the beauty, but don't understand the danger. Although costly, maybe flyers could be handed out at the Yosemite entry gates about the extreme danger of the high water.
Discussion
10 repliesThese 3 were particularly foolish, sadly, climbing over barriers to get to rocks in the middle of the fast-moving river, then fell in - all to get a picture.
http://news.yahoo.com/authorities-3-swept-over-waterfall-presumed-dead-180056413.html
Please be careful if you go!
Sandy
If these folks had listened to their inner voice, and heeded the posted and verbal warnings, this tragedy would not have occurred.
Seemingly insignificant unsafe acts, coupled with unsafe conditions, create the chain of events that leads to the accident. The events leading to the accident happen relatively slowly over time. It is during this time frame that we need to stop an unsafe act, or eliminate the unsafe condition in order to prevent the accident, i.e. break the chain.
Obviously, in this case, it was not possible to eliminate the unsafe conditions. Therefore, it was up to the victims of this tragedy to break the chain by not climbing over that railing. Despite efforts, these people could not be protected from themselves.
Be aware, always, of your situation and be safe out there!
--P
Wouldn't that be a great picture?
By the casket: "The last picture of our our Angel, Jenny, before her stupid father dropped her into the icy water and she drowned"..
Sandy
--P
"What I will take away with me forever is the look on that grown man’s face as he was floating down that river knowing he was going to die and nobody could help them.”
Absolutely terrifying. The internet comments were not surprisingly loaded with callous comments about Darwin awards and how stupid the victims were. Yeah, at least two made a very stupid decision, but it's cruel to insult the deceased here. Most of us have made potentially dangerous and foolish choices, we've just been lucky. Ive stepped over a few railings in the name of photography. Ive been to the top of Vernal (been up half dome a couple times) and while it may seem unbelievably insane to mess around 25 feet from a raging 300 ft waterfall, the danger can easily be underestimated by the inexperienced.
I'm probably getting close to 'Hot Topics' here, but the other line that struck me was also by J Bisbee, the witness for the AP story:
"They act like it's Disneyland"
Bingo! That's why i try my hardest to avoid the GC, Yosemite, Yellowstone etc in July-Aug. Because it's a Disneyland-shopping mall experience. Even if you hit the remotest back-country, you still have to go through the entrance to get there, and its a joke. IMHO, people treat the parks as Theme Parks as opposed to wilderness, because that's the message we send them. It might have made sense to envision the NPs as tourist locations 100 years ago, but it doesn't to me now. In some respects, i almost think they should remove the gaurd-rails altogether. Then, after a few hundred more people have perished, they can put one simple sign up at the base of the falls with a lengthy list of people who have drowned. Maybe then people would take heed. Maybe not.
Stan, this is a key observation. I believe that the vast majority of people have forgotten the dangers of swift water, steep rock, snow and ice, rockfall and avalanches, wildlife and other objective hazards that our ancestors were critically aware of in order to survive. These hazards are now outside experience in everyday life today and are routinely underestimated, as you said.
So, what do we do? Do we regulate, or educate, or a combination of these? This is merely a rhetorical question to provide food for thought.
Aside from increased visitation, I think this is a big part of the reason there are so many tragedies in our parks. Visitors feel safe and secure because there are nice roads, beautiful facilities, and law enforcement and EMS/Fire services available; not to mention the hype in the media. The presence of facilities and services does not negate the fact that the parks are wild, but folks are lulled into complacency regarding their personal safety.
I think a big sign should be posted at the entrance to all parks...
"Danger! Enter at Your Own Risk!"
"The Government has set aside this park for your use and enjoyment.
However, it is your reponsibilty to use the park wisely and to educate yourself about the dangers present in the park, and to exercise good judgement.
Be aware of your situation and be safety conscious at all times!"
Though possibly forlorn, it is my hope that this recent tragedy in Yosemite will be a teachable moment.
--P
- Preston
I'm sure that is the hope of all of us.
Sadly, the LAST hiker's death was - what? - 2 weeks ago. When i was there then, posters of the "missing and presumed drowned" hiker were all over, as well as the articles about the 2 drowned 10 days before that. Sadly, none of this seemed to have sunk in.
The comments about Yosemite and other NP's being seen as Disneyland or a Theme Park are very valid, imo. People see the beauty, but don't understand the danger. Although costly, maybe flyers could be handed out at the Yosemite entry gates about the extreme danger of the high water.
Sandy