2 dead & 6 injured as teens take after hours sled ride down Winsport bobsleigh track

[jayswin]

I'm actually annoyed at Sliver's post in response to OOTC. I loved the post itself, I thought it was excellent, I'm only annoyed that he went one step too far and left a nugget for everyone to cling on to in response with the whole "The gate shouldn't even be there".

Damnit Sliver, it was perfect, then you gave them that to ignore the rest!

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by Burninator

The track isn't a killing machine. If there wasn't a gate they would very likely still be alive and this wouldn't be a news story.

It's not a killing machine for people with proper equipment and the training to utilize their body weight to take corners properly. Eight people going down on a friction-less plastic sled with no way to control themselves would crash after reaching the lower turns and most likely be ejected from the track.

Originally Posted by Burninator

You can pay and go down the luge portion on your own. Of course this is done with proper instruction and equipment but they wouldn't let people do it, if was extremely dangerous.

The tourist luge is only the bottom portion of the luge track comprising 5 turns. They don't send newbies to the top.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Zarley

It's not a killing machine for people with proper equipment and the training to utilize their body weight to take corners properly. Eight people going down on a friction-less plastic sled with no way to control themselves would crash after reaching the lower turns and most likely be ejected from the track.



The tourist luge is only the bottom portion of the luge track comprising 5 turns. They don't send newbies to the top.

Apparently the top luge run is very seldom used, they open it for the national teams training and competitions only. Otherwise the Bobsled is default, the juniors start at turn 7 as you noted tourists start far down the track.

The last world cup for luge/skel was the middle of December and the teams should be back traveling for the next event.

Edit:

Here's the track config.

[polak]

I know this is sort of piling it on but there are 6ish other buildings which the track goes through/by and none of them thought that it might be a good idea to check that one of them might not be closed off with a gate or sign or something? Or you know, full of people that could get them in a lot of crap?

[sun]

Originally Posted by polak

I know this is sort of piling it on but there are 6ish other buildings which the track goes through/by and none of them thought that it might be a good idea to check that one of them might not be closed off with a gate or sign or something? Or you know, full of people that could get them in a lot of crap?

No, none of them thought it might be a good idea. Can you STFU now?

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by polak

I know this is sort of piling it on but there are 6ish other buildings which the track goes through/by and none of them thought that it might be a good idea to check that one of them might not be closed off with a gate or sign or something? Or you know, full of people that could get them in a lot of crap?

Hindsight is 20/20.

I have many thoughts on this event, but I think it's better I just wish all those affected best wishes and support, and move on with my day.

Just horribly unfortunately and tragic.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I'm actually annoyed at Sliver's post in response to OOTC. I loved the post itself, I thought it was excellent, I'm only annoyed that he went one step too far and left a nugget for everyone to cling on to in response with the whole "The gate shouldn't even be there".

Damnit Sliver, it was perfect, then you gave them that to ignore the rest!

I thanked his post because it was spot on, except for that part.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Zarley

It's not a killing machine for people with proper equipment and the training to utilize their body weight to take corners properly. Eight people going down on a friction-less plastic sled with no way to control themselves would crash after reaching the lower turns and most likely be ejected from the track.

Why do some people insist that they would have been ejected from the track. bobsled, luge and skeleton crashes are not at all uncommon and happen at higher speeds then these kids ever would have reached yet do we see a epidemic of people being launched out of the course in the sport?

[polak]

Originally Posted by sun

No, none of them thought it might be a good idea. Can you STFU now?

What's the point of this thread if not to talk and speculate at this point?

Anyways, one of my coworkers kids knew one of the kids that went down and apparently he was in surgery for 10 hours yesterday and has lost an eye.

Crazy.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

I thanked his post because it was spot on, except for that part.

Oh yeah, super spot-on attitude. I'm sure the two kids who died said lots of similar type things to their buddies right before they went down the bobsled track.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Oh yeah, super spot-on attitude. I'm sure the two kids who died said lots of similar type things to their buddies right before they went down the bobsled track.

Boy you really don't get it, eh?

[Ace]

Originally Posted by T@T

Apparently the top luge run is very seldom used, they open it for the national teams training and competitions only. Otherwise the Bobsled is default, the juniors start at turn 7 as you noted tourists start far down the track.

The last world cup for luge/skel was the middle of December and the teams should be back traveling for the next event.

Edit:

Here's the track config.

So is this correct: The Bobsled track is almost always clear, except for a few select events...these kids were on the bobsled track, and the bobsled track was closed. If that's the case why would it have been closed now if the upper luge track is not in use?

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Dan02

Why do some people insist that they would have been ejected from the track. bobsled, luge and skeleton crashes are not at all uncommon and happen at higher speeds then these kids ever would have reached yet do we see a epidemic of people being launched out of the course in the sport?

This. It's not the scraps,bumps and bruises that kill you...it's the friken sudden stop.

[peter12]

Were there signs posted?

[T@T]

Originally Posted by peter12

Were there signs posted?

Apparently just the standard "no trespassing" signs. Which means nothing if someone gets hurt on your property.

[FireGilbert]

My uncle did the bobsled run years ago and I clearly remember a gate blocking the luge track at the time. I had no idea it also swung over to the bobsled track though, I just assumed it was opened if someone was going for a luge.

Also, I am curious who made the 911 call. After hearing of the horrific injuries I am amazed someone was able to pull out their phone.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

My uncle did the bobsled run years ago and I clearly remember a gate blocking the luge track at the time. I had no idea it also swung over to the bobsled track though, I just assumed it was opened if someone was going for a luge.

Also, I am curious who made the 911 call. After hearing of the horrific injuries I am amazed someone was able to pull out their phone.

Ugh...I'd rather not think that.

I have to say, I'm well experienced on that track and being at the top, the VERY top, is terrifying. All on its own.

Just standing there is enough to pucker your ass and I've been down it numerous times and its still scary as all hell. I cant believe those kids went through with it.

And as for the reports of people going down it 'all the time on whatever is handy' that sounds to me like completely fabricated BS.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Oh yeah, super spot-on attitude. I'm sure the two kids who died said lots of similar type things to their buddies right before they went down the bobsled track.

You don't get it. You're the outlier here. Most males in their teens and early twenties take risks, whether it's for the adrenalin rush or to impress friends/girls. I'm actually a fearful, anxious person, but even I did a lot of the things Sliver listed.

I'm glad those days are over because I've matured, but I don't judge kids looking for a rush.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Locke

And as for the reports of people going down it 'all the time on whatever is handy' that sounds to me like completely fabricated BS.

where did you see/hear this?

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Locke

And as for the reports of people going down it 'all the time on whatever is handy' that sounds to me like completely fabricated BS.

I've seen someone on the track riding a skateboard. This was during broad daylight while a different event was going on. I wouldn't say it happens a lot, but also wouldn't say it's rare.