Someone died in a golf cart yesterday.

[Mulligan26]

http://m.wmtw.com/news/golf-cart-crash-kills-1-in-berwick/27987886

 

That link is for mobile devices. For those that can't read the article, a man flipped a cart going down a hill, the passenger was ejected and the cart landed on him. Massive head trauma was sustained to the victim and he died at the scene.

 

Why am I posting this? For a variety of reasons; one of them being that this course is the one I grew up playing on. I know this hole and this hill and to me it isn't surprising that this happened. I also worked at this course in high school and for a few seasons after; and I've seen dozens of carts flipped on this hill. Think black diamond ski slope steep. I can almost guarantee that there was massive amounts of alcohol involved as this course has a reputation in the area as one that is like the "wild west."

 

It's a tragedy but yet completely 100% avoidable. Be safe, don't drink and drive any vehicle.

[Krt22]

If there have been numerous accidents on the hill, and now a death, perhaps the course was negligent in letting people ride on it. Try could stake it off or make a defined transverse path

[cardoustie]

Sorry to hear this, tragedy

If a hill is steep enough switch backs are in order

[ZBigStick]

Golf carts are unstable. A terrible way to die.

Was this on a cart path or from the teeing area or mid hole?

[Mulligan26]

It's a very short par 3, so from tee to green it's straight down hill.

[BuckyBadger]

Tragic and sad news. I flew out of a golf cart once. Driver was drunk. I was the drunken passenger. We were going top speed and the driver made a sharp 90 degree left turn. I kept going straight. Luckily only sprained my ankle.

It was a lesson learned and I won't ride with anyone who fricks around driving a cart. I never drive recklessly either. Too many bad things can happen.

[Mulligan26]

[quote name='Krt22' timestamp='1410478061' post='10104155']
If there have been numerous accidents on the hill, and now a death, perhaps the course was negligent in letting people ride on it. Try could stake it off or make a defined transverse path
[/quote]

This would be the right thing to do yes, however the golf course at this facility takes 3rd priority behind their event center and restaurant. Beautiful course, just one that is more concerned with selling booze and weddings than providing a good golf experience.

[larrybud]

People need to be responsible for their own actions. Nobody forced anybody to drink any booze (if there was any), nor drive like an idiot in the cart.

Unless the course is at fault for not maintaining their carts and it was a mechanical failure, the person at fault is the driver.

[Llortamaisey]

Wow. Thanks for posting. I know personally I have started driving carts with a little more self control lately. I can see how something like this could happen. It's still a shame and hope is family heals from this accident.

[shakey]

I was in a cart the flipped over going down a hill at my home course. A buddy was driving. We were going full speed when he slammed brakes while in a turn. We skidded and then flipped over. Luckily neither of us was hurt.

A few years later a guy was thrown from the cart and run over and killed at nearly the same spot. Made me realize we were being watched over that day.

[502 to Right]

Based on that article we don't know the following:

1) If the driver or passenger was drunk (or drinking alcohol at all).
2) If the driver was driving recklessly.
3) Whether any accidents have occurred before at that location.
4) Whether the golf course owner was negligent in any way.

Based on that I'm not going to blame either the driver or the golf course owner at this time.

[theclubsfault]

That is sad. Booze or not, negligence of one or many parties aside, golf cart roll over is no way to die.

I have had a golf cart fail to stop going downhill before. It occurred in wet conditions where the ground looked fine. As we all know carts are pretty unsafe and people who haven't used them as much might not realize that until it is too late. Be safe, carts rolling over is no joke.

[OCdog]

What a terrible tragedy. His buddy will never be able to forget this incident.

[golfcarte]

[quote name='Mulligan26' timestamp='1410477364' post='10104107']
[url="http://m.wmtw.com/news/golf-cart-crash-kills-1-in-berwick/27987886"]http://m.wmtw.com/ne...erwick/27987886[/url]

That link is for mobile devices. For those that can't read the article, a man flipped a cart going down a hill, the passenger was ejected and the cart landed on him. Massive head trauma was sustained to the victim and he died at the scene.

Why am I posting this? For a variety of reasons; one of them being that this course is the one I grew up playing on. I know this hole and this hill and to me it isn't surprising that this happened. I also worked at this course in high school and for a few seasons after; and I've seen dozens of carts flipped on this hill. Think black diamond ski slope steep. I can almost guarantee that there was massive amounts of alcohol involved as this course has a reputation in the area as one that is like the "wild west."

It's a tragedy but yet completely 100% avoidable. Be safe, don't drink and drive any vehicle.
[/quote]

i have to say i had an incident with a golf cart as well, similar situation as i went down a steep hill using the wet grass instead of the paved path, lost control, flew out of the cart and dislocated my shoulder. and one of the workers at the course told me how stupid i was.

[Bonneville85308]

A similar event happened on a former home course of mine, and the guy wasn't even drinking. He took a cart up a steep slope despite warning signs not to do so. On the way down, the brakes locked up on the wet grass and he slid into woods. Ended up hitting a tree and he was ejected through the front. He spent a couple of days in a hospital but fortunately survived.

Side note: Just walk the course and these risks go away.

[pingeye]

Carts are designed to get from point A to point B. They are not designed for steep hills and/or wet ground. It's sad too hear that someone lost their life in one.

My wife and mother in law flipped a cart going down a hill once. This was back when the carts only had the one front wheel with a steering bar/handle in the middle. MIL decided to take a short cut to the fairway down a hill and rolled the cart. It landed on her back and fortunately the only damage was a slightly fractured back. The cart flipped over my wife and didn't touch her.

[mwkbmw]

I've never had anything remotely like this happen to me. But then, I usually walk when I play.

[Swampcooler]

[quote name='Mulligan26' timestamp='1410477364' post='10104107']
[url="http://m.wmtw.com/news/golf-cart-crash-kills-1-in-berwick/27987886"]http://m.wmtw.com/ne...erwick/27987886[/url]

That link is for mobile devices. For those that can't read the article, a man flipped a cart going down a hill, the passenger was ejected and the cart landed on him. Massive head trauma was sustained to the victim and he died at the scene.

Why am I posting this? For a variety of reasons; one of them being that this course is the one I grew up playing on. I know this hole and this hill and to me it isn't surprising that this happened. I also worked at this course in high school and for a few seasons after; and I've seen dozens of carts flipped on this hill. Think black diamond ski slope steep. I can almost guarantee that there was massive amounts of alcohol involved as this course has a reputation in the area as one that is like the "wild west."

It's a tragedy but yet completely 100% avoidable. Be safe, don't drink and drive any vehicle.
[/quote]

I assume it happened on the hard left just next to the forward tee box - you're going down steep and then the path rises slightly and takes a hard left. Lord knows I've felt my cart start thinking about obeying the laws of physics and rolling over.

I love the course, but the golfers certainly have a reputation for drinking. All the best to this guys family. It's a terrible accident.

[Duffner's Waggle]

Almost came to blows with my brother in law over his cart driving. He thinks its hilarious to go flying down hills and around corners. We're both big guys, he's 220 and I'm 285, and when he's driving and we go left hard, I've felt a fisht tail a few times, and once up in Williamsburg, either at Royal New Kent or somewhere like that, he came whipping down and the cart couldn't make the turn, so we slammed passenger side (read: my side) first into a big 6ft tall row of bushes/trees and I got all cut up and was bleeding. Right then and there I laid down the law and let him know in no uncertain terms that either he'd slow down, I'd be driving, or I'd be walking from then forward.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, or in this case, the unimaginable, someone dies. Prayers for his family.

[Kaysquare]

A couple years ago our little golf community had a horrible golf cart accident. A family visiting from out of town was staying at one of their parent's summer home. There was a two-seat golf cart in the garage. The young woman, mother of four, 34 yrs old, decided to take the kids for a ride on the streets surrounding the home. She let a 5-yr old drive, two small kids sat in the back seat, & the Mom was holding her ten-month old baby. The father watched them drive away and a few blocks away down a steep hill, the driver (5 yrs old) lost control. The cart flipped, pinning the Mom & the baby underneath. The Mom died at the hospital, all kids were okay. PLEASE do not let children drive golf carts!!!!!

[596]

I work at a course, though it is relatively flat, and have seen numerous close calls with carts. They are not toys. They do not belong to you. They are inherently dangerous, just like your car. Anyone who does not see this should not be driving a golf cart. It is obvious that they can not go up or down steep hills. It is obvious they they do not do well on wet grass. It is also obvious that they are a tipping hazard right from the get go.

I'm sorry this happened and feel bad for the driver as well as the other guys family. PLEASE treat the carts as they are meant to be treated. Follow the signs the course puts out, they are there for a reason even though you may not agree or understand why. BE CAREFUL!!!

[farmer]

In my tiny little club, we had a 15 year old killed after falling from of an out of control cart. The whole thing was a tragic accident, but we have private carts and the kids weren't playing golf, just cruising around with the cart.

[Imp]

I was fortunate enough to have only broken my arm when my brother pulled a "hey, watch this" moment going from the 8th green to 9th tee, on mothers day, in 1983. I was only 14 and was thrown from the cart.

--kC

[MadGolfer76]

So much for pancakes tomorrow morning. What a stupid way to go out.

[teckneeklyperfect]

Surely, they must not have read the warning sticker on the dash that driving the golf vehicle, especially in a dangerous manner, can be hazardous and can lead to injury and even death.

[Mulligan26]

[quote name='Swampcooler' timestamp='1410532337' post='10106587']
[quote name='Mulligan26' timestamp='1410477364' post='10104107']
[url="http://m.wmtw.com/news/golf-cart-crash-kills-1-in-berwick/27987886"]http://m.wmtw.com/ne...erwick/27987886[/url]

That link is for mobile devices. For those that can't read the article, a man flipped a cart going down a hill, the passenger was ejected and the cart landed on him. Massive head trauma was sustained to the victim and he died at the scene.

Why am I posting this? For a variety of reasons; one of them being that this course is the one I grew up playing on. I know this hole and this hill and to me it isn't surprising that this happened. I also worked at this course in high school and for a few seasons after; and I've seen dozens of carts flipped on this hill. Think black diamond ski slope steep. I can almost guarantee that there was massive amounts of alcohol involved as this course has a reputation in the area as one that is like the "wild west."

It's a tragedy but yet completely 100% avoidable. Be safe, don't drink and drive any vehicle.
[/quote]

I assume it happened on the hard left just next to the forward tee box - you're going down steep and then the path rises slightly and takes a hard left. Lord knows I've felt my cart start thinking about obeying the laws of physics and rolling over.

I love the course, but the golfers certainly have a reputation for drinking. All the best to this guys family. It's a terrible accident.
[/quote]

I wasn't there but I imagine it was at the bottom. Most people will take the cart out of gear then try and power slide by the green.

[Medic]

We responded back in March in reference to a fall from a golf cart. Turns out it was a custom job that had a fairly big engine. Two adult males were occupying the seats and one was holding onto the roof standing where the bags would go. They went off of the grass and onto the pavement and the bump caused the guy to fall. He struck his head on the pavement and ending up being flown to Tampa General where he died the next day.

Both alcohol and drugs were involved.

As the OP said, totally preventable.

The real trouble with trouble is that most of the time it started out as fun.

The guy was only 36 and had two small kids. Really sad case.

Thanks OP - this might just serve as a wake-up call for some who take for granted that tomorrow is not a promise, we are mortal and fragile, and it only takes a split second for something really bad to happen. And really bad is rarely, if ever, expected.

[llewol007]

There is a course similar laid out through the mountains in my area and one hole in particular had a severe slope that weaved back and forth. After several accidents of people actually flying off the cart path down the hill thank god they were able to bail out, they finally put some speed bumps. Sad to see but you are correct when you say totally avoidable.

[LCP]

Horrible story from several years ago near me: [url="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Husband-not-indicted-in-fatal-golf-cart-fall-1930526.php"]http://www.chron.com...all-1930526.php[/url]

The husband is really "lucky" he didn't get indicted, although especially when it's your wife I don't know that's the right word. I remember traveling to Jamaica when I was a teenager and the family friend we were there with fell out of a flipped cart being driven by a Jamaican caddy and broke his arm pretty bad. He had enough money that he just got a charter flight ASAP and flew back to Miami to have it fixed there vs. fixing it in Jamaica. I worked at a club one year in high school and there were never any flipped cart incidents, but then again we were on flatland.

What's so bad about this case is the history of incidents on the hole. That's pretty obviously negligence on the part of the course, and probably gross negligence at this point.

[Scratch2Plus]

When going down a steep slope DO NOT put the cart in neutral and go down the hill...if you do, DO NOT touch the brakes.
Don't ask me how I know.