kids and boat ramps

[ratherbefishin]

years ago I came across the ambulance attending a boatramp at a lake right beside the highway. Seems like a young family was out for the day, and to keep the kids together and away from the busy highway, they left the kids in the car while mom helped dad unload the boat from the trailer. At the inquest, the probable cause of death was one of the older kids got out of the seatbelt and let off the brake and the car rolled down the ramp.The youngest kids were in baby seats and the parents couldn't get them out in time.<br /> Hard to call on a tragedy like that, the folks thought they were doing the right thing by keeping the kids in the car away from the highway.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: kids and boat ramps

I took my 2 boys (age 8 and age 2 (first fishing trip). I did make my boys stay in the truck while I unloaded the boat at the ramp. My 2-year-old did press the accelerator on the truck (it was in park and parking brake was on). It was at that time that I decided to shut off the engine and remove the keys.<br /><br />I thought they were safer in the truck while boats were loaded/unloaded. I don't let them get out of truck without their lifejackets on.<br /><br />Even good intentions sometimes go awry.

 

[ratherbefishin]

Re: kids and boat ramps

well, I;m sure the parents have relived this one a million times ''if only''.But- something as simple as dropping a wooden block behind the wheels would have prevented a tragedy.It's not a bad idea in any case-costs nothing, takes up very little space and doesn't take 5 seconds to place behind the rear wheel.They use them on the ferries a lot to prevent cars shifting- just a simple wooden block, one end cut on an angle, and a canvass strap on it for ease of placing/ removal-pretty cheap insurance when you think of it.

 

[Bradster941]

Re: kids and boat ramps

All I can say to that is, WOW !!!<br /><br />How horrible for all full circle..