WOMAN DIES ON ATV TOUR IN ARUBA
June 14, 2006
Posted by Idahochick
June 14, 2006
Posted by TomFrederick
June 16, 2006
Posted by NikkiandCarm
June 26, 2006
We were in Aruba last week on our Honeymoon. On Thursday June 8 we took the Rancho Daimari ATV tour.
About 15 minutes into the tour an older couple (he was 60ish and she was 50ish) flipped the ATV and she crashed into a telephone pole and the bike landed on top of her. Many people tried CPR and the ambulance took over 20 minutes to get there, but they were unable to save her.
The tour guides were not equipped with any type of first aid kits, nor were they trained to help any injured people. All they did were called the ambulance, left someone there with the hurt couple and tried to continue the tour.
The bikes all had bald tires, which made the bikes slide all over the place. The helmets had a large orange sticker inside saying they were for novelty purposes only. Also ATV bikes are not designed for 2 people.
I did not see anything in the local newspapers or news, and have not been able to find anything on this online since we returned. If you choose to use this tour group, please be careful...
About 15 minutes into the tour an older couple (he was 60ish and she was 50ish) flipped the ATV and she crashed into a telephone pole and the bike landed on top of her. Many people tried CPR and the ambulance took over 20 minutes to get there, but they were unable to save her.
The tour guides were not equipped with any type of first aid kits, nor were they trained to help any injured people. All they did were called the ambulance, left someone there with the hurt couple and tried to continue the tour.
The bikes all had bald tires, which made the bikes slide all over the place. The helmets had a large orange sticker inside saying they were for novelty purposes only. Also ATV bikes are not designed for 2 people.
I did not see anything in the local newspapers or news, and have not been able to find anything on this online since we returned. If you choose to use this tour group, please be careful...
Posted by Idahochick
June 14, 2006
SHAME SHAME SHAME on this ATV company!! It is their responsibility to provide it's patrons with not only proper safety equipment, but proper riding knowledge as well. Two passengers on one bike and no authorized helmets? What on earth were these people thinking?!
The bikes themselves have NO PASSENGER stickers on them. At least when they come from the factory they do. I hope this company is held liable for their neglect in this extremely unfortunate event. This is what gives ATV's such a bad reputation. Just like any other activity (scuba diving, etc) you should never engage in a new activity unless you've educated yourself and have had a professional educate you as well.
The bikes themselves have NO PASSENGER stickers on them. At least when they come from the factory they do. I hope this company is held liable for their neglect in this extremely unfortunate event. This is what gives ATV's such a bad reputation. Just like any other activity (scuba diving, etc) you should never engage in a new activity unless you've educated yourself and have had a professional educate you as well.
Posted by TomFrederick
June 16, 2006
For years everytime someone makes a Post about where to rent any type bike or scotter I warn them not to because of the poor condition of the many roads in Aruba. "could not belive how many fatalities in this country alone in the past 6 months." This is true. Many roads in Aruba have no shoulders and in poor shape.
Posted by NikkiandCarm
June 26, 2006
My husband and I were actually on the same tour with you and experienced that same thing...we were the kaboose of the trail. Not sure if you remember us, but anyway, we didn't obviously see that actual thing happen since we were the last two in the group, but I will never forget this for as long as I live...coming around that corner and see the ATV flipped over in the ditch.
I can just remember seeing everyone crowding around and trying to get the ATV off of the couple...I didn't want to continue the tour after that. I personally thought it was very dangerous and scary, but it was my husband that wanted to go and I agreed to it (since, I wanted to go snorkeling).
And the eery thing about this whole thing (not sure if you remember this or not) but, right before we left to start the tour, one of the tour guides yelled load to the couple to make sure they signed their waiver form (which they didn't yet, because they lady then replied, "no not yet, because we wanted to see if we both fit on one")...which then the tour guide then replies, (joking around) "ah, just strap her to the back with the straps, she won't fall off".
Once we figured out what couple it was that fell off, that just kept replaying in the back of my mind...I am sure that tour guide feels like a real jerk! Well, I just wanted to post this so that way people really know that you were telling the truth and oddly, enough we watched the news and watched out for the newspaper to hear how the couple was....that is the only thing horrible that happened on our honeymoon and I am just thankful that we made it back home ok.
I can just remember seeing everyone crowding around and trying to get the ATV off of the couple...I didn't want to continue the tour after that. I personally thought it was very dangerous and scary, but it was my husband that wanted to go and I agreed to it (since, I wanted to go snorkeling).
And the eery thing about this whole thing (not sure if you remember this or not) but, right before we left to start the tour, one of the tour guides yelled load to the couple to make sure they signed their waiver form (which they didn't yet, because they lady then replied, "no not yet, because we wanted to see if we both fit on one")...which then the tour guide then replies, (joking around) "ah, just strap her to the back with the straps, she won't fall off".
Once we figured out what couple it was that fell off, that just kept replaying in the back of my mind...I am sure that tour guide feels like a real jerk! Well, I just wanted to post this so that way people really know that you were telling the truth and oddly, enough we watched the news and watched out for the newspaper to hear how the couple was....that is the only thing horrible that happened on our honeymoon and I am just thankful that we made it back home ok.
The whole ATV report is here:
http://www.diarioaruba.com/diabierna/noticia/news5.html
http://www.diarioaruba.com/diabierna/noticia/
http://www.diarioaruba.com/diabierna/noticia/news5.html
http://www.diarioaruba.com/diabierna/noticia/
2 comments:
I'm very sorry to hear that another American tourist has lost her life in Aruba...ATV's are very dangerous and proper safety equipment and training are a must...there are no shortcuts...Tour guides must have first aid training and a proper first aid kit and if there is a accident involving injury or death the tour should be terminated and people should have their money refunded or given a rain check for another day...If these tours are conducted by people without proper training and if they are using sub-standard safety equipment then not only is a lawsuit in order but criminal charges as well BUT this happened in ARUBA...Do you honestly believe these US Citizens will receive ANY JUSTICE...I don't think so...Once again MONEY comes into play here...Look they want to keep their overhead down...therefore..no training costs..Sub-Standard safety equipment...Are the ATV's kept in proper and safe working order...ALL of these things cost MONEY...Low overhead equals higher profit...Human life or US Tourist equals = Zero ... I hope this family can get justice and would greatly appreciate if there is any follow up on this tragic situation..At least they can take their loved one home and can give her a proper resting place...Aruba continues to cut their own throat because of money....Well Aruba its your choice...You won't be able to hide your deaths now...A spotlight is on you....Justice for Natalee Ann Holloway...Boycott Aruba!!
Par for the course. Why would we expect the ATV's to be properly kept and maintained in a land where the 'strange and unprofessional' are the norm ?
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