My words were a bit harsh, but it was directed at those of you who want to blame this accident on someone other than the driver.
I first started reading about the accident because I wanted to know what happened. Then I come to this site and read from people like Queen Sheba:
"I am sorry, but why would they look in a place where they were permitted? Come ON! Human nature says that when we have a vehicle that makes us feel safe, we are going to test the limits anyway? They should have been looking in the place where they shouldn't have been. Maybe they would have found them sooner. That must have been a horrible way to die"
She clearly blames someone else for the deaths other than the driver of the vehicle and admits that she is just as stupid. Then I read from tower and others who are calling the Rangers incompetent and bumbling with GPS. While the Park Service does use GPS for a number of things, I have no idea if every vehicle and person is equipped with a hand held GPS and doubt if they are. Most of what I've seen them use are survey grade backpack systems and I'm sure those are only used by the 8-5 work force, not the patrolmen looking for someone in distress. A lesson to be learned, but not one to be punished for.
Hey, that's great tower that you have your hummer for doing search and rescue, but I'm sure most of you don't. And just because you are out driving around in your hummer, doesn't mean you are on a search and rescue effort. He wasn't, he was out for pleasure. As for me worrying about the cost of fuel for a rescue helicopter, I also don't see any helicopter pilots riding around like a wild yahoo just to impress his girlfriend (but no doubt someone has done just that) nor do they use it to fly down the 7-11 to get a six-pack of beer.
When he got his over the sand permit, he would have been given a map and guidelines for that activity. It was his responsibility to become familiar with those rules - no different than doing any other outdoor activity, be it hiking, boating, etc. And no matter what his distractions were, it was still his responsibility to drive carefully. He failed. Yes, it was a harsh lesson, but one none the less and self-inflicted. Sober up and quit blaming others.
Personally I think his estate should be billed for the search and bulldozer used to pull his hummer out of the ocean. I believe it is actually pretty standard that the people getting rescued pay for the rescue. In Greenland, they even have set fees for rescuing people off of the ice.
As for you people wondering how Jen wound up 5 miles from the crash site, I think it is pretty clear what happened.
They drove up the north end of Assateague, turned around and were headed back south. He had the ocean on his left, driving on the waters edge. He was going to fast and hit a hill that rolled the hummer over. Neither were probably wearing their seatbelts, but using their hands pressed against the roof to keep from bouncing as much. They still bounced quite a bit and were enjoying the excitement and thrill of the "roller-coaster" ride. Right up until he said "Hey, watch this."
He was probably tossed from the vehicle when it rolled over and more seriously hurt. She bounced around inside. After coming to a stop, she pressed the OnStar button and then got out to rescue Adam. At best, he was probably only semi-conscious. She then realized the severity of her situation and started screaming. That is what the OnStar person heard. The waves crashing around Jen kept her from hearing the little voice inside the hummer. She then pulled Adam out of the surf and onto the safety of the beach. Before leaving, she kissed him and promised to get help and return. She then turned north toward the lit up sky and walked along the water's edge where the sand was packed.
Normally her choice would have been good. Lights would have meant people and safety. After several hours cold and wet, she reached the north end of Assateague and saw the safety of Ocean City. However, the inlet and bay would make it impossible to cross the otherwise short distance. If it wasn't for the roar of the ocean, she could have easily hollered for help.
As it sunk in that she had just wasted her entire time going in the wrong direction, she turned back south. Cold, tired, scared, and emotionally drained, she eventually collapsed on the packed sand and succumbed to the cold. The tide came up and pulled her body back into the surf.
Truly a tragedy, but one brought on by reckless driving and ignoring the rules, not by the Park Rangers. Yes, it would have been great if help had made it to them and been rescued. It didn't. They got where they were by their own devices, not by someone elses. They both paid the price for his mistakes.
Get over it.
|