Sad and Tragic Recovery Accident in AZ.

[Too many Kubotas]

One of the things that one needs to discuss is how in the heck does one get their vehicle buried up to the axles in the middle of the desert?

You've never driven on a wet dry lake, or a sand bar in a river?

 

[CliffordK]

Possibly the pin sheared and it came back through the Windshield and killed the driver. I believe there was a child in the cab too.

One can debate whether or not the driver should be in the towed vehicle. Someone suggested earlier in this thread putting the hood up which might have protected the windshield. All other passengers should have been standing back at a safe distance.

More than a "Pin" sheering.

Another Tow Ball Tragedy - RIP Ryan - Warning graphic images

Team, Another tragic death from a recovery gone wrong with a towball. Please share this as I think it is really important that people know the reason that you should never recovery off a tow ball. This happened just a couple of days ago in the US. Very tragic. This was shared on FB by...

4x4earth.com

That drop hitch is very tall. Hopefully it was engineered and tested to breaking. It appears to have an interchangeable ball on it, but I can't imagine it could be safe for pulling anything more than my little 1000 lb 4x8 utility trailer.

Even if the drop hitch hadn't broken, it could have put extreme torsion force on the receiver, and bent it.

 

[bcp]

A couple of articles with more details:

Father Killed In Off-Road Recovery Accident When Drop Hitch Snaps

Ryan Woods was only 43 years old when he was killed instantly by a tow hitch snapping back into his truck.

www.roadandtrack.com

Breaking down the deadly AZ incident – Colorado 4×4 Rescue & Recovery

www.co4x4rnr.org

Bruce

 

[Gord Baker]

That 8"± drop would greatly increase the leverage to the breaking point.

 

[Jstpssng]

That 8"± drop would greatly increase the leverage to the breaking point.

Especially since the drop wasn't designed for that type of abuse.

 

[bcp]

Some discussion about using a 3-ball hitch.

I noticed that Matt is now using one-piece pintle hooks.

Bruce

 

[SmallChange]

There is a power line, but too far away to be of much help unless one has a mile worth of straps.

Damn, that might have been enough to kill somebody in the next town over.

 

[BruceSH]

Sad truck recovery accident out of Arizona. Sad becuase the guy died, but also sad because his 3 kids were sitting in the back seat as a 30 lb. drop hitch came through the window and killed him. Could have been avoided, putting this here to remind us to not make a similar mistake.

Could have been avoided? I would say NOT. It is too bad the victim could not react to the threat in time but that would have most likely been impossible. Could have been avoided? Hardly likely.

Could have been prevented? Absolutely by properly fastening and lashing down everything you carry, and check your lug nuts too!

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Could have been avoided? I would say NOT. It is too bad the victim could not react to the threat in time but that would have most likely been impossible. Could have been avoided? Hardly likely.

Easily avoided if using the proper equipment, I think.

Maybe even with the wrong equipment, by simply attaching to that horrible ball mount up at the receiver tube level.

Safest would've been to use a heavy vehicle with a powerful enough winch. But I can't blame them for trying with what they had. After all, that's how we got a crew cab dually out of a very similar situation, using only a 4Runner and recovery straps.

 

[California]

How fast was she going? Yikes!

There was a Volvo ad (I don't think it ran in the US) where the child's doll on the rear package shelf was the only loose object. It went through the windshield, while 3 point seatbelts saved everyone.