Mood:
loudTopic: Politics
This week, we learned the tragic story of the three softball players who lost their lives in Dickinson, North Dakota. According to MSNBC, the three women: Kyrstin Gemar 22, Afton Williamson 20, and Ashley Neufeld 21—were taking a trip to go stargazing, when they drove their 1997 Jeep Cheroke into a pond.
The pond is said to be surrounded by high grass and shrubs, located on private property just off a narrow gravel road in a pasture north of Dickinson. Two of the women's friends received phone calls from the ladies' cell phones as a cry for help—that they were near water. The calls were static-y, before the lines went dead.
Since the calls mentioned water, searches went on for days near lakes and ponds in the area. According to Stark County Sheriff, the SUV was found resting on its wheels Tuesday, under 10 feet of water. The doors and windows were closed.
Before I go any further, I do want to clarify that I've lost young friends and know how difficult it is to have that type of realization at such a young age. My thoughts go out to their family and friends.
However, not much of this story makes sense to me. First of all, the sheriff stated that autopsy results will tell if the girls were under the influence of alcohol, but he suspects they were not. I disagree. Who, in their right mind, drives into an unknown field, in the pitch black, with no headlights on?
Furthermore, let's say it was a complete accident, which I think it was, but what happens once they realize they're in water? Did they just sit there? Instead of trying to open a door or kick out a window, they called a friend. Not so smart. They didn't even try 911. It's my guess that it takes a vehicle about 15-20 seconds to completely submerge itself underwater; which after it's submerged, you're pretty much screwed. However, 20 seconds is a long amount of time to consider getting the HELL out of your car if it's sinking, right?! Am I right?
Continuing on, the parents of all three of the women were on the Today Show Thursday morning. Matt Lauer asked the parents of Williamson (although I believe her father's last name is Hutton) why the ladies would be in the area to begin with. Hutton said stargazing is something many of the students in the area do because it's a small town (the college only has 2700 students) and there isn't much else to do.
Ok, fair enough.
Later in the interview, Lauer asked Hutton if there was a lesson to be learned in this tragedy. Hutton quickly replied with a "No. It was a complete accident."
Well Mr. Hutton, I couldn't disagree with you more, sir. Let me just remind you that you just lost a daughter and her two best friends and you think there is no lesson to be learned. Weird, because there are HUGE lessons to be learned here.
Lesson 1: Don't drive in areas without your headlights on. Not only is it against the law but it's dangerous.
Lesson 2: Be an advocate for something Mr. Hutton. Why not talk to the city about putting up fences or reflectors or street lamps near unlit ponds?
Lesson 3: Learn the proper steps to take when your vehicle goes under water.
Since Mr. Hutton has no initiative, I've taken it upon myself to find out what to do if your car goes under water.
1. Roll down the windows. If the windows are still above the waterline, just climb out. If the car is sinking fast, wait for the interior to fill with water. The doors won't open until there's enough water to equalize the pressure inside and out.
2. Keep your seat belt on until the last possible second. The rush of water could injure you.
3. If you can't open the windows or doors, try kicking out the windshield or a side window. You can purchase special hammers for this.
4. Try not to panic.
So there. Take that Mr. Hutton. Don't let these girls die in vain. It is possible to survive things like this. Happy stargazing, North Dakota.
