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GoneFishin · 03-26-2008, 08:45 PM

This is about an accident that happened in January, but I've waited to post it here because it's a sad story. It's about a neighbor couple of ours and two things have happened recently that prompted me to finally post it. Even when terrible things happen, you learn from the experience.

We were on the road at a rally when it happened and we didn't learn about it until we returned home at the end of January. Our neighbors (in their 70's) were camping with their visiting son and daughter-in-law at a local county park near home. The son had parked his motorhome at the campsite, but for some reason it was decided to reposition it. His mother was outside the motorhome and when he moved it, he backed over her and she was killed.

We attended a manager's meeting at the TT campground last week and the manager discussed why members are not allowed to enter and park after dark. Sometime in the past, a camper was killed while helping another camper park in the dark.

This week we were visiting with a relative and her elderly grandmother, and the grandmother (about 5' and 85 pounds) walked away from us and stopped near a parked car. In fact, she leaned against the back of the parked car. The driver of the parked car started to back out of the parking spot and nearly knocked the woman over.

I remember about 6 months ago I was driving the motorhome, stopped at a big intersection to turn right and enter the freeway, when someone came running from the right and crossed about 10 feet in front of me, making a mad dash for a bus. I had taken my foot off the brake and had almost started making my turn because traffic was clear, but I made one more double-check that it was clear on my right (although there was no way traffic could have come at me from the right), and I saw the man running in front of me. Scared me to think that someone could have been closer to the motorhome and I wouldn't have seen them.

I have since been very careful to know where Rick is when I'm backing up AND moving forward. I've also told Rick I will not move if I cannot see him. I never want to be in so much of a hurry that I don't double-check where everyone is before I move. Thanks for reading. I felt I needed to share.

Mic, of

GoneFishin · 03-26-2008, 08:45 PM

This is about an accident that happened in January, but I've waited to post it here because it's a sad story. It's about a neighbor couple of ours and two things have happened recently that prompted me to finally post it. Even when terrible things happen, you learn from the experience.

We were on the road at a rally when it happened and we didn't learn about it until we returned home at the end of January. Our neighbors (in their 70's) were camping with their visiting son and daughter-in-law at a local county park near home. The son had parked his motorhome at the campsite, but for some reason it was decided to reposition it. His mother was outside the motorhome and when he moved it, he backed over her and she was killed.

We attended a manager's meeting at the TT campground last week and the manager discussed why members are not allowed to enter and park after dark. Sometime in the past, a camper was killed while helping another camper park in the dark.

This week we were visiting with a relative and her elderly grandmother, and the grandmother (about 5' and 85 pounds) walked away from us and stopped near a parked car. In fact, she leaned against the back of the parked car. The driver of the parked car started to back out of the parking spot and nearly knocked the woman over.

I remember about 6 months ago I was driving the motorhome, stopped at a big intersection to turn right and enter the freeway, when someone came running from the right and crossed about 10 feet in front of me, making a mad dash for a bus. I had taken my foot off the brake and had almost started making my turn because traffic was clear, but I made one more double-check that it was clear on my right (although there was no way traffic could have come at me from the right), and I saw the man running in front of me. Scared me to think that someone could have been closer to the motorhome and I wouldn't have seen them.

I have since been very careful to know where Rick is when I'm backing up AND moving forward. I've also told Rick I will not move if I cannot see him. I never want to be in so much of a hurry that I don't double-check where everyone is before I move. Thanks for reading. I felt I needed to share.

Mic, of

MonacoMama · 03-26-2008, 09:06 PM

Mick...
It is a bit of a wake-up call as I read this - considering that I am such a "green pea" at driving an RV.

you have brought up such great and very important information that we ALL should remember!

Thank you again...
Mama

Tom and Patty · 03-26-2008, 10:19 PM

That is a sad and unfortunate story.

I too will not back up if I can't see Patty in my left mirror. If she goes out of site, I just sit with the brakes on. She used to get upset that I wouldn't move. Now she remembers....left mirror!!!

Be safe and have fun!

Rick A · 03-27-2008, 04:41 AM

When we arrive and are parking, the kids either stay in the truck or are sitting at the picnic table so we know where they are at all times. The wife is always in my view, and I too will not backup if I can not see her. There are times when I camp by myself, and it is very unnerving parking the trailer with no spotter. I spend a lot of time in and out of the truck checking behind the trailer and just take it real slow.

**Petro** · 03-27-2008, 04:50 AM

GoneFishin;

Thank you for posting this. While it is indeed very sad, we all need to be reminded about safety. I very seldom travel with children in my family but I worry about other children. I installed a back up alarm and I will not back up unless my DW is behind and visible in either the L or R mirror.

Don

read & learn · 03-27-2008, 04:54 AM

Ours prayers go to that family. Thank you for posting, as it was a wake up call for the DW.
She was always disappearing behind the MH or out of site of my view. Even when she would stand behind the MH in the rear-view camera waving to come back I would not move, never know when you could just hit the thottle by accident.

Rom · 03-27-2008, 10:28 AM

A sad and unfortunate story indeed, more so for the families involved. But this is also a learning experience for everybody, not just for us RVer's but for all drivers. Wish DW would be able to read this - as I always have to remind her about "Safety & Awareness" when she's behind the MH while I'm backing up.

georgetown350 · 03-27-2008, 02:39 PM

Sorry to hear about your neighbours terrible accident.

Back up cameras with sound turned up, walkie talkies, any kind of communication between driver and spotter is very helpful.

Our last vacation we arrived after dark and decided to stay overnight at a walmart instead of trying to find our site in the dark.. after reading this very sad story I will never check in after dark at a cg.

Steve

Buzzcut · 03-27-2008, 03:02 PM

What a tragic story. I have three boys under 8 years old and I don't make a move unless they're on our front steps where I can see them or seated in the truck or at the picnic table. With that being said, accidents still happen. Still, its a sad story.

SeeTheUSA · 03-28-2008, 05:20 AM

Thanks for posting this, Mic --- sure makes us all think about simple and routine moves.

bsavage · 03-28-2008, 08:06 PM

Mic, how sad this must have been for you. I'm so sorry... as everyone has said, this is a good reminder about safety. My thoughts are with you.

Brenda, of...

GoneFishin · 06-28-2008, 10:08 AM

Not too long ago we watched a couple backing in their motorhome at the site next door and she was the spotter at the back guiding him in. What made my heart stop a couple times was that she kept darting back and forth behind the motorhome to check the other side. She would not signal to him that she was moving to the passenger side, she'd just jog over there. He would not realize right away that she was not in sight and he'd keep backing. Then she'd jog back over to the driver's side. What made me so frightened was that she tripped a couple times and almost lost her balance. She was right at the back of the rig and sometimes had her hands on it. So close! I told Rick I either have to close the blinds or go help. They finally made it without incident.

If you're going to move around the back of a moving vehicle (or the front), please let the driver know. Please be safe.

AKBrick · 06-28-2008, 07:16 PM

Good post Mick. I've finally gotten to the point where I need to just slow down and wait for CheetahGirl to appear in my mirrors or camera. It used to be where I would just "go for it", thinking that I knew what was going on and just bulled my way into the space, usually in the wrong direction. Sheesh, I'm retired, what's the hurry? I've realized that going slow and the brake are my friend. I don't want to run over my wife and my bestest friend or none of this would be worth doing. If I don't see her, I stop. Boy, I hope that you weren't referring to us in that last post.

I'm still refining my back-up techniques. Live and learn, but the most important is to live.

AKBrick

P.S. Oh yeah, congrats on your FOURTH campfire!