Charleston water accident lawyers at Howell and Christmas know that recreational water sports and activities can lead to catastrophic injuries. One needs to look no further than August of 2009 when two women were killed while parasailing on the Carolina coast.
As part of its investigation into an August 2009 parasail accident that killed two women, the U.S. Coast Guard may submit recommendations for the first regulations of the parasailing industry.
In the fatal accident, two women were parasailing at Ocean Isle Beach, NC when the line connecting their parasail to the boat snapped and wind sent them into the ocean before hitting the Ocean Isle fishing pier. The Medical Examiner’s Office says the women died of blunt trauma that either happened on the initial impact of the water or after being thrown against the pier.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating all of the parasailing equipment associated with the Ocean Isle tragedy.
Experts believe that weather may also have been a factor in the accident. The Coast Guard has issued a safety alert to the parasailing industry reminding them to be vigilant in their observations of current and forecasted weather and sea conditions, with particular attention to wind speed.
There have been three other parasailing accident deaths in the U.S. and Mexico this year. National parasail experts believe the industry needs to be regulated and think that the Coast Guard has the most resources to do so.
Source: The Sun News- “Coast Guard to weigh in on first regulations after parasailing accident”- September 22, 2009.
