Ocean City Maryland beach hummer accident

[PARAGON]

911 center releases second tape in Assateague crash



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Jennifer Lehman
Staff Writer

(March 18, 2005) Geographical coordinates that OnStar provided Emergency Services the evening of Feb. 5 were not given to Assateague Park rangers, a new 911 tape reveals.
However, whether those coordinates would have helped in the search for 25-year-old Adam Starkey and 24-year-old Jennifer Holly Ashe remains unclear.

The tape, which was released by Emergency Services this week, is a recording of the phone call between a 911 operator and an Assateague Park ranger. The call takes place after Emergency Services spoke to an OnStar representative, who informed them of a distress call from a vehicle located on the national seashore.

OnStar provided rough coordinates — 38.21 latitude and -75.14 longitude — to the 911 operator, but those numbers were not passed onto park rangers at the time.

“The incident we have is going on at the National Parks Service,” the 911 operator informed an Assateague Park ranger. “An emergency button was pushed to OnStar on a vehicle that’s a Hummer somewhere out there and they gave us coordinates, but we have no idea where this is.”

“OK. Did they say if they were on a road or on the beach,” asked the park ranger.

“They said it was on Assateague National Seashore and they gave us coordinates. That’s all they gave us,” replied the 911 operator.

In an earlier report, Robert Fudge, chief of visitor services for Assateague Island National Seashore, said the coordinates from OnStar were not an exact pinpoint of a location, but more of a general area.

“[The rangers] investigated with what they were given,” Fudge said on Feb. 23. “They looked in an area they thought was an appropriate area. It does sound like that it was very hard for them to get an exact location.”

According to Fudge, the park rangers did a thorough search of an area where off-road driving on the beach is permitted.

“They went on an off-road vehicle zone to find anybody that needed help,” Fudge said, adding during their search the park rangers assisted a couple whose vehicle was stuck in the sand. Starkey’s Hummer, however, was located in an area not permitted for off-road vehicles.

Surfers stumbled upon Starkey’s body lying next to his partially submerged 2004 Hummer the morning of Feb. 6. The next day, a park ranger found the body of Ashe.

Autopsy results revealed that Starkey and Ashe died of hypothermia, with contributory injuries from the accident.

Charles Waechter, an attorney representing families of both victims, continues to question why park rangers did such a limited search of the island when they received word of a distress call.

“How much time did [the park rangers] spend assisting the other vehicle and what did they do after that?” Waechter asked.

The recently released tape also reveals that no deputy from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the island that evening.

“How far away was your deputy?” the park ranger asked.

“Well, we cancelled him. Do you want us to go ahead and send him back in?” the 911 operator replied.

“…I will go ahead and respond myself,” the park ranger said. “You can tell him to disregard.”

Once the surfers discovered Starkey’s body and vehicle, nearly 12 hours after park rangers were alerted, a multi-agency search and rescue operation was activated.

[Andy C]

Its funny how the blame culture works - last night I was pulling up to an intersection - I was turning right - the light just turned green as I was going to make the turn - a car came barreling through the light - and slammed into a kid in a pick up truck one block down crossing the street through a stop sign.

The kid in the speeding car ran - I tried to chase him down but he went over a wall into trees and I currently have a foot injury that prevents me from walking let alone run - so he got away.

When the cops showed up - about 5 minutes later - they blamed the kid in the pick up for the accident - stating that he had obviously pulled out in front of the car - which on the face of it would appear to have happened.

It wasnt until I stepped in and informed them that the driver of the car had nearly T boned me at the light and that he was probably doing in excess of 60mph in a 30mph zone that they started to realise that the driver of the pick up might not be at fault after all (who luckily was uninjured - the car hit the back end of his truck).

The point that I think that I am trying to make here is that we were not there - we did not witness the incident - we were not involved with the rescue attempts - it would be very interesting to actually talk to someone that was involved - and therefore we are not qualified to make any judgements or assumptions in this case.

The incident that I witnessed last night brought that home to me - one persons assumption of the cause of the outcome was completely different than the actual events that happened.

[ali648]

drtyfn,
i'm not quite sure what your problem is. in case you aren't smart enough to comprehend my previous statement: "i spent my whole life with that guy" was supposed to mean that i knew him for a very long time, was good friends with him for 9 years, and dated him for 2 years. so fyi, i'm not a stalker, i was just simply very close with adam. and i don't think you should have any reason to believe i'd stalk you. especially not you.

and for las vegas,
i was only refering to hummoron, no other posts, so i'm glad that is cleared up.

[DRTYFN]

Originally posted by LasVegas:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">why did you tell me to "come on?" just a little confused about that one.

Okay, I'll retract the "come on" as long as you're not including some friends posts that just stated bluntly the obvious facts and results of Adam's poor decisions. And seriously, the good that can come from Adam's death is for 4 wheelers to learn a lesson from this tragedy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't confuse her. She might stick around like a stray cat if we pay attention to her.
(Notice her stalking tendencies?)

[PARAGON]

Tale of tape



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Jennifer Lehman
Staff Writer

(Feb. 25, 2005) Somebody pushed the emergency button inside the overturned 2004 Hummer the evening of Feb. 5, which subsequently alerted authorities of an accident somewhere on Assateague Island.
According to the 911 tape, which was released Tuesday morning by Worcester County Emergency Services, an OnStar operator told the 911 dispatcher he heard screaming coming from the vehicle, but did not know an exact location of the accident.

“I’m trying to give you a better street, or at least a crossing street, but I don’t have anything,” the OnStar operator said.

"That’s fine. That should be enough," replied the 911 dispatcher. "Did they give you coordinates or anything like that? … Cause there’s not really many streets back there, it’s just an island."

The OnStar operator eventually gave the 911 dispatcher coordinates – 38.21 latitude and -75.14 longitude.

"OK, we’ll see what we can do with that," the 911 dispatcher replied.

According to Robert Fudge, chief of visitor services for Assateague Island National Seashore, the coordinates were not an exact pinpoint of the location, but more of a general area.

"(The rangers) investigated with what they were given," Fudge said on Wednesday. "They looked in an area they thought was an appropriate area. It does sound like that it was very hard for them to get an exact location."

Surfers found the body of 25-year-old Adam Starkey and his partially submerged 2004 Hummer the morning of Feb. 6 – nearly12 hours after authorities received the OnStar alert.

A second body, that of 24-year-old Jennifer Holly Ashe, was found on the beach by a state park ranger on Feb. 7. Her body was located a half a mile south of the Ocean City Inlet and about four miles from the crash site.

According to reports, OnStar sent a distress call to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office just after 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 5. The Sheriff’s Office subsequently alerted Assateague park rangers who, according to Fudge, did a "thorough search" of an area where off road driving on the beach is permitted, but were unable to locate any vehicles in distress.

"They went on an off road vehicle zone to find anybody that needed help," Fudge said recently. He added that during their search the park rangers assisted a couple whose vehicle was stuck in the sand.

The Hummer, which was severely damaged and found submerged in the ocean’s surf around 8 a.m., was located in an area not permitted for off road vehicles. Starkey’s body and vehicle were found on the beach, north of the park’s Sinepuxent Ranger Station.

The state medical examiner has confirmed Starkey died from a leg injury complicated by hypothermia. Ashe’s autopsy, however, is still pending.

In recent weeks, authorities have kept a tight lid on the investigation – revealing very little about what may have happened during the 12 hour period before the two victims were found.

Hummers typically contain a "Sensing Diagnostic Module" device, similar to a black box found in airplanes. Some SDM devices can reveal information such as the speed, how far the accelerator pedal was pressed, if the brakes were applied and whether the driver’s seatbelt was buckled.

However, it is unclear whether Starkey’s Hummer contained one of these devices or if authorities found it.

"That’s part of the investigation," Fudge said. "That’s the sort of thing law enforcement would be looking into."

[beachinJeeper]

Since there is no new information to be had, and the weather in these necks is really purdy, how bout we just go out somewhere do some responsible four wheeling, and as I am the "beer bitch", will supply some Bud Light, but as responsible four wheelers, we also must drink responsibly. And, no that does not mean, if we don't spill the beer, we are drinking responsibly!

Have Jeep will travel

[ROX]

Originally posted by PARAGON:
So, which one of your schizoid personalities wrote this last tidbit?

HumMoron: Welcome back. Is that you?

[ROX]

I guess OnStar is only as good as the people that answer the call. OnStar markets their whole system around the fact that they get help when you need it the most! That's supposedly what its for! Those park rangers should have known to keep looking. Why didn't someone alert the Coast Guard? They know what to do with GPS coordinates! I'm upset because it could have been me.

I agree with MIZZOU H2, keep it safe. Sorry for the rant.

[PARAGON]

Fatal Assateague accident investigation continues



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Jennifer Lehman
Staff Writer

(May 27, 2005) As summer quickly approaches and thousands of visitors begin flocking to the Eastern Shore, park rangers at the Assateague Island National Seashore are not planning any major changes to the rules regarding off road vehicles.
In February two people died after their 2004 Hummer overturned into the surf while driving off road at the island – an accident that has spurred an ongoing investigation.

Robert Fudge, chief of visitor services for the national seashore, said Memorial Day weekend is a popular time for visitors to drive along the beaches and no new regulations will be enforced.

“Everything remains the same in the off road vehicle zone in the way it’s marked,” Fudge said.

Meanwhile Attorney Charles L. Waechter, who currently represents families of the victims, is waiting on a lengthy report from the Department of Interior that will detail what may have happened the evening of Feb. 5.

However, the next steps the families will take “is probably premature to say,” Waechter said.

Surfers stumbled upon the body of 25-year-old Adam Starkey and his partially submerged Hummer nearly 12 hours after OnStar alerted authorities of an accident on Assateague the previous night.

OnStar, a vehicle safety device that automatically contacts emergency personnel when involved in an accident, sent a distress call to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office just after 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5.

The Sheriff’s Office subsequently alerted Assateague park rangers who, according to Fudge, did a thorough search of an area where off road driving on the beach is permitted, but were unable to locate the Hummer.

On Feb. 6 the body of 24-year-old Jennifer Holly Ashe was found by a state park ranger on the beach, about four miles from Starkey’s body and a half mile south of the Ocean City inlet.

According to the state medical examiner, both victims died of hypothermia, which was complicated by injuries they received from the accident.

Over the last few months, authorities have kept a tight lid on the investigation, revealing very little about what may have happened during the 12 hour period before the two victims were found.

According to a 911 tape, somebody from inside the vehicle pushed the OnStar emergency button just after 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 5. While the OnStar operator said he heard screaming, he did not directly speak to the occupants.

“We didn’t receive a discernable response,” said Terry Sullivan, vice president of communication for OnStar. “The advisor indicated that he thought he heard a woman’s voice, but the sounds are unclear.”

The 911 tape also indicates that the OnStar operator could not find an exact location of the accident, but was able to disclose latitude and longitude coordinates.

“They were very exact coordinates,” Sullivan said.

However, Fudge said the coordinates were not an exact pinpoint of the location, but more of a general area.

“[The rangers] investigated with what they were given,” Fudge said on Feb. 23. “They looked in an area they thought was an appropriate area. It does sound like that it was very hard for them to get an exact location.”

[Hummoron]

I agree, that the search would have been very difficult. Who knows, they may never have found them even with help. It doesn't excuse a lack of effort though.

But they did search. They searched the most logical places based on the ranger's past experience. Had they been in the ORV section, they would have been found lickity split. They weren't there. It was dark.

I must be wrong, but I didn't think it was that uncommon to cancel a search until conditions changed (such as becoming light) if the initial search didn't find anything.

[ROX]

Does anyone know if they found the Hummer at or near the GPS coordinates that Onstar relayed to Emergency Services?

What were the actual coordinates the Hummer was at when it was found?

[Marcmedic]

No, I can assue that no other trucks were sent. They might be in the station ready to go, but they don't leave.

I'm glad you can see their station from your office.

[tower]

Paragon,

For Marc and myself, thank you. It really get's my back up when people make excuses for irresponsible emergency personnel. There are so many of us working hard to do our jobs responsibly. I feel like that’s lumping us all into one category and it makes me feel slimy. Ours is a business where not doing you job can cost lives. But not telling the truth will continue to cost even more.

Sorry for the rant. Thank you, again.

[Klaus]

Park Rangers perform a wide variety of duties in managing parks, historical sites, and recreational areas. Many wear a prescribed uniform.

Duties
Park Rangers supervise, manage and perform work in the conservation and use of resources in national parks and other federally-managed areas. Park Rangers carry out various tasks associated with forest or structural fire control; protection of property; gathering and dissemination of natural, historical, or scientific information; development of interpretive material for the natural, historical, or cultural features of an era; demonstration of folk art and crafts; enforcement of laws and regulations; investigation of violations, complaints, trespass/encroachment, and accidents; search and rescue; and management of historical, cultural, and natural resources, such as wildlife, forests, lakeshores, seashores, historic buildings, battlefields, archaeological properties, and recreation areas. They also operate campgrounds, including such tasks as assigning sites, replenishing firewood, performing safety inspections, providing information to visitors, and leading guided tours. Differences in the exact nature of duties depend on the grade of position, the site's size and specific needs.

http://www.nps.gov/personnel/rangers.htm

[tower]

Gosh,

In some ways, I agree with Vistomper and wish we could lock this thread. It can be emotionally taxing. On the other hand, I find myself bristling at hearing that Linda was censored/muted on another site. (Apparently freedom of speech and the press only apply to those with whom that moderator agrees.) So I wouldn’t want to prevent Hummoron from writing in, I just hope that his judgment continues to improve. Perhaps he might refrain from judging at all.

I’m not interested in vilifying the Onstar operator, the 911 operator or any of the rangers, at least not until all the facts become clear. But as Paragon states, Emergency Service’s protocols necessarily must be evaluated on an ongoing basis if they are to remain current. It is very sad when a tragedy and subsequent lawsuit are the required impetus to effect this reevaluation. When departments stay current of their own accord, tragedies are minimized in severity and number. When departments do otherwise, unfortunately, this is frequently the mechanism that forces the change.

I find this type of dialogue to be very healthy. I would be very surprised if certain involved authorities are not watching the exchange on this site closely. The more we can shed light on what happened, the better. In secrecy, things only fester and worsen.

t~

[Marcmedic]

WHat you probably don't see is that they sent several trucks which were cancelled by the first arriving unit when they arrived on scene with no smoke showing. Sometimes the alarms gets reset before the engine arrives. The engine should continue to check while the rest of the incoming units get cancelled.

[Hummoron]

From what I've read, the rangers did search, just didn't find them. I'm sure that if they did, they would have done all they could to save them. There is absolutely no indication that the rangers blew off the seach just because it was a hummer. Nor did the blow it off because they were trespassing, we only learned that until later.

If someone calls 911 while jumping from the Empire State Building, are you going to blame the rescue workers for not catching him? Your analogies about fire and scissors are as bad as mine, Marcmedic.

There were a lot of unknowns at the time about the situation. Hindsight is 2020. Why didn't Onstar make a bigger deal out of it? Why didn't they ask to be redirected to the local rescue team instead of only dealing with the 911 middleman? How many rangers were on duty and what level were they? It was a Saturday night in the middle of winter, do they do enough rescue work of this type that requires their top skilled rangers to be on staff 24x7? (and I am by no means knocking the skills of the rangers who were there)

Onstar took the call. They were the only ones who might have fully grasped the severity of the situation. They should have monitored the progress of the search directly. Maybe Onstar needs to have their own rescue people that can be put in to service at these times? They are the ones making the promise about getting rescued.

[PARAGON]

So, which one of your schizoid personalities wrote this last tidbit?

[tower]

Aw, shucks, Roxie.

[Hummoron]

Uhm, that post states:

“How far away was your deputy?” the park ranger asked.

“Well, we cancelled him. Do you want us to go ahead and send him back in?” the 911 operator replied.


So, it was 911 that cancelled a police deputy and not the ranger. What is a police car going to do on the beach besides get stuck?

Should the ranger have called for a full blown search and rescue when all he was given was:

“The incident we have is going on at the National Parks Service,” the 911 operator informed an Assateague Park ranger. “An emergency button was pushed to OnStar on a vehicle that’s a Hummer somewhere out there and they gave us coordinates, but we have no idea where this is.”

Almost all (but this one) beach emergencies are a stuck truck. Should he respond to all such calls in the future as if it was this one? Go back and read shaggy's (or whatever his new name is) about what the ranger's life is normally like at this specific park.