Sad reminder of the importance of welding

[Capricious]

either Egyptians or Libyans crossing illegally between the two.

Are they crossing on tractors??

 

[ultrarunner]

While apparently not involving welding, I think this hammers home the issue of trailer safety a lot better than the above story:

CHP: Hitch in fatal crash involving pizza oven | The Press Democrat



EDITED TO ADD: Note that the person facing possible criminal charges, in the wreck of this "custom built" trailer, is the driver of the vehicle, not the builder of the trailer.

Here's the thread I started on TBN

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/323589-breakaway-trailer-kills-father-two.html

 

[jaotguy]

Actually, there is a forest in the Sahara. It's in the Great Sand Sea in Libya & Egypt. Thing is, all the trees are petrified.

yes , I knew about the forest ( and inland sea ) ...it disappeared when the earth's axis shifted about 10 degrees or so ( just a tad before I was born ) just like there used to be tropical areas in northern Canada ( before politicians and lawyers came into being )...

 

[Hiltz]

Sorry, but I gotta call BS on this story. Someone trying to make a point about safety but the story about the welder in jail in BS.

 

[MH8675309]

I'm a welder and a good one but when it comes to putting a coupler on a trailer I always weld AND bolt it. I've got nothing to prove

 

[DarkBlack]

Sorry, but I gotta call BS on this story. Someone trying to make a point about safety but the story about the welder in jail in BS.

Agree.
"and a six month old girl that they were taking to meet her grandparents for the first time."
I think this line was my personal favorite. I almost puddled up ( pun intended)

 

[tnjind]

Take welding stuff serious.

 

[jaotguy]

couldn't agree more ... some lives depend on it ...

but it desensitizes us when we hear the sob stories ( that are only partially true ) to get a point across....

( it would be the driver in jail and not the welder ..... welder would be a civil case at a later date ) the driver is responsible for making sure his vehicle and loads are properly secured and up to code.

 

[Travelover]

I belong to a travel trailer forum and there is a similar story that gets dragged out every time someone wants to tow 1501 pound trailer with a Crown Vic rated to tow 1500#. Somehow these tales always involve a little kid getting killed to tug the heart strings.

 

[tcreeley]

I used to joke with my students when they were going for their license - let me know when you have it so I can keep off the road!
The key is "calculated risk". How much risk do you like? I used to drive an old grand prix 50 miles to work on a highway. It didn't have any brakes, but I had to get to work. I lucked out. Did I do anything wrong? Local guy passing our school ran a girl down when his brakes gave out. She died. He didn't get off easy. How much risk are you calculating to take?