Another Grand Canyon Death - Very Sad

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Nearborn

Been there several times. It's no more dangerous than the edge of the road. And all the "edges" I saw at Mather Point were pretty darn distinguishable.

If all you've ever seen is Mather Point, then that would explain your opinion. The Rim Trail from Mather to the train station is miles long of unprotected rim. In some places there is brush separating the trail from the edge, and in some places, it's just rock. In either case, a kid could easily walk off the edge.

One to three people die per year falling into the canyon. With a draw of over 5 million people a year, that's way better odds than crossing the street.

Your analogy is still silly. People go to the Grand Canyon maybe once or twice in their lives, but they walk next to roads every day; of course they're more likely to die on a road.

Folks die every year at the Grand Canyon. That is not in dispute. There's nothing wrong with reminding people of the danger there. Nobody here is advocating more fences. Although, harnesses for small unruly kids sounds like a fine idea to me.

[Nearborn]

In either case, a kid could easily walk off the edge.

I mentioned Mather Point because that's where this child fell. And my point with the numbers was that if there are 5 million people going there per year, you'd think there would be more fatalities if it was so inherently dangerous. While no deaths by falling are "acceptable", a couple per year out of 5 million visitors doesn't indicate a dire safety problem to me.

[kdog]

Tell that to this kid's folks. He died there last Friday. Teen falls to his death after losing footing at Grand Canyon - ABC News

[Nearborn]

No doubt a tragedy. Doesn't mean it's an inherently dangerous place, just a big hole in the ground that attracts lots of potential victims.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

So you can all plummet to your deaths together? If a 70 lb kid falls over the ledge with you attached, Im sorry, but youre going down too!

The point is, the child on the leash would never get close to the ledge to fall at all as a parent will keep them at a safe distance - that way no one plummets to their deaths.

[Nearborn]

The point is, the child on the leash would never get close to the ledge to fall at all as a parent will keep them at a safe distance - that way no one plummets to their deaths.

Lots of kids die from head injuries in car crashes. Many times more than the number of kids who fall into canyons, grand or small. Would you suggest that kids wear helmets while riding in cars?

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Nearborn

Lots of kids die from head injuries in car crashes. Many times more than the number of kids who fall into canyons, grand or small. Would you suggest that kids wear helmets while riding in cars?

Not necessarily, Nearborn . . . but a SEAT BELT would be nice.

I am always appalled and disgusted at the number of times I glance into a vehicle and see small kids NOT BUCKLED UP!

[mdtoaz]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Not necessarily, Nearborn . . . but a SEAT BELT would be nice.

I am always appalled and disgusted at the number of times I glance into a vehicle and see small kids NOT BUCKLED UP!

Reminds me of being a kid in the 70's. My "seatbelt" was my mom's arm thwacking me in the torso to hold me back if my dad had to slam on the brakes.