LOOSE TRAILER...Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

By Pam Stone

For the Herald-Journal

Published: Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.

Page 1 of 3

Pam Stone: Scary road incident shows true blessings

By Pam Stone
For the Herald-Journal

Published: Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:14 p.m.

Page all of 3

It's the nightmare scenario that no one who pulls a trailer ever wants to experience: The trailer breaking free from the truck.

However, this is exactly what happened to me Wednesday morning, driving through downtown Landrum. Having hauled horses since I was 18, I know the importance of checking and double-checking all security devices before leaving home with a trailer in tow: wiring, safety chains and the emergency trailer brake.

The trailer hitch is in excellent condition and the ball the correct size. Yet, somehow, as I crawled (and thank God I was crawling) over the railroad tracks, the hitch popped upward from the ball, the nose of the trailer collapsed downward and, because the safety chains were intact, the emergency brake applied and the trailer slid but a couple of feet before stopping.

Heart in throat, I leapt from the cab of my truck and signaled to the cars behind to go around. Before I could even call our local police for help, one gentleman came running from the weekly Farmers' Market, another from our Amish food store and a third from I don't know where but immediately took over directing traffic.

The farmer said to me, “I believe we can lift this trailer back onto the ball,” to which I replied, “Not until I get my horse off.”

“You mean there's a horse in there?”

His eyes widened as I opened the side escape door to make sure my 18-hand, 1,400-pound Dutch gelding was safe and calm. He gave a nervous whinny and having wrapped his legs earlier in the thickest fleece protective wraps available, I knew there was little chance of injury.

Letting down the ramp, I gestured to the gentleman to untie the lead and assisted the horse as he backed out with alacrity, much to the amazement of an elderly driver too close for my liking, who, before this, I couldn't quite persuade to back her car up a bit farther, please.

Once he stood on the asphalt and looked around in alarm, I should think Valentino thought he'd been in some sort of time machine: Only minutes earlier he had left his bucolic, quiet home and stepped into an aluminum box, only to now find himself in the road, in the middle of traffic, buildings and big rigs hauling lumber passing frighteningly close. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the familiar blue truck belonging to a group of Tryon, N.C., veterinarians pull over, and both vet and assistant came sprinting to make sure everything was all right.

As I held and stroked Valentino, my heroes all managed to reattach the trailer to the hitch, jumped up and down on the bumper, cranked the hitch as high as it would go to make sure it could not again pop off the ball. Gingerly, I led Valentino up the ramp (I certainly would never have gotten back inside that trailer if I were him). With Paul, summoned in the middle of this, following us with flashers on, we held up a long line of impatient drivers as we inched the four miles to the farm.

As I write, the trailer is at a specialist garage to find out exactly what happened and how. No way will I haul it again without knowing that. However, I think I surprised Paul when I remarked, after watching Valentino roll with great relief in the field, trying to scratch both his back and the experience from his mind, that my day wasn't spoiled at all.

Because, after all, it could have been so much worse. Yes, the trailer broke free, but it did stop immediately, straight and true, my horse was fine and I was surrounded by good Samaritans who were strong, calm and capable before I could even ask for help.

And that, folks, is just a truckload of blessings. I wouldn't trade where I live for anything in the world.

Reach Pam Stone at pam@thesatisfiedlifenetwork.com.

Stallion tossed out of trailer, ends up in motorway fastlane

HOW MANY MORE TRAILERS NEED TO JUST "COME LOOSE" BEFORE WE ADDRESS A DEFECTIVE TOWING SYSTEM.

WE KNOW HOW TO STOP THIS.

Stallion tossed out of trailer, ends up in motorway fastlane

Charlotte White, acting news editor

25 May, 2011

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A show stallion was thrown out of a trailer and onto the M5 after the vehicle was struck from behind by a car.

Show producer Mark Northam was transporting fell stallion Bybeck Evolution home to Bristol from Devon County Show last Friday (20 May) when the accident took place.

The trailer unhitched and "Evo" was thrown out, ending up on the opposite side of the road, in the fast lane of the south-bound carriageway.

Owner Sarah Dowdeswell, from Northumberland, said she wanted to thank everyone involved in the rescue.

Neither Mark, his passenger, nor the pony was seriously injured in the incident.

"We were so lucky - it could have been a horrific accident," said Sarah.

"Lorry drivers stopped their lorries on the south-bound carriageway to create a barrier so "Evo" could be caught.

"And a lady called Carol Haddon Wright, who was travelling north with an empty trailer stopped and took Evo home. It made things a lot easier as the police wanted him off the road so they could reopen the motorway but we had nowhere to put him.

"Remarkably he just walked into her trailer. He has a couple of scrapes, cuts and has lost his front shoes – we think he overreached trying to get upright after the crash – but does not seem to be injured."

Evo had won the Olympia M&M ridden class at the show and had been reserve champion.

WE ALL KNOW WHAT IS WRONG.....HOW MANY MORE LIVES NEED TO BE TAKEN BEFORE WE ADDRESS!

Your Government instead of embracing our Information they try to stop and destroy us.

Published April 14, 2011, 10:22 AM

UPDATE: Horse drowns in the Mississippi

A horse died Wednesday afternoon after the trailer in which it was riding separated from the tow vehicle and slid into the Mississippi River.

A horse died Wednesday afternoon after the trailer in which it was riding separated from the tow vehicle and slid into the Mississippi River.

Melanie Lunsmann of New Richmond was driving a Toyota Highlander northbound on US Highway 63 around 4:45 p.m. when a pin came loose from the hitch of the trailer and the trailer separated from the receiver of the truck, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. The trailer then ran off the roadway into the back waters of the Mississippi River off Highway 63 with the horse inside.

"We are not sure how it came undone," Sheriff's Deputy Collin Gilles said, who was on scene.

The sheriff's department received the call from Goodhue County which first received the 911 call. Gilles said a witness saw the incident along with Lunsmann who pulled over as soon as she could.

Gilles said the animal was a quarterhorse valued at $675 while the trailer was valued at $500.

Tags: area news, news, wisconsin, accidents

HAVERHILL — After two trailers carrying animals broke loose from their tow vehicles and crashed on an Interstate 495 bridge, the state has begun repai

IF A JET ENGINE HITS TURBULENCE ARE THE ENGINES FALLING OFF THE PLANE?
If your car hits a bump or a pot hole is your car falling apart?
Then we simply ask.....why are hitches falling apart? Why when you hit a bump your trailer is coming off? WE KNOW WHY AND NHTSA IS TRYING TO STOP US!!!!

May 22, 2011

Repairs to I-495 bridge finally begin, but bumpy ride remains

By Mike LaBella mlabella@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Sun May 22, 2011, 12:53 AM EDT

HAVERHILL — After two trailers carrying animals broke loose from their tow vehicles and crashed on an Interstate 495 bridge, the state has begun repairs to create a smoother driving surface.

But the repairs are happening much later than city officials expected — in May instead of earlier this spring when the weather cleared. The crashes happened in September and December.

While the repair work has somewhat improved the surface of the bridge over the Merrimack River, it is still rough in both the north- and south-bound lanes, particularly for heavy vehicles such as truck and trailers.

City Councilor David Hall said he was under the impression that the repairs were to have been completed by this time. He said he crosses the bridge five or six times a week, and that the ride is still bumpy.

"Months ago, we held a conference call in the mayor's office with the state Department of Transportation and we were told this was going to be a top priority and that it would be addressed," said Hall, who is chairman of the public safety committee.

"Here we are almost into June, and I don't see any progress out there. It's more than bumpy. It's dangerous," Hall said. "When tractor trailers are traveling side by side the road is so rough they are bouncing. It won't take much to veer left or right into a passing car."

Adam Hurtubise, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said the first phase of the work involves nighttime repairs to the bridge decking. This part of the project should be completed in a few weeks, he said. But drivers should brace for a continued bumpy ride as federal funding the state has requested to repave the bridges is pending, he said.

State officials said repairs have been taking place at night based on the availability of crews, and when emergency or other repairs are not being completed elsewhere throughout the Department of Transportation's District 4, which includes Haverhill. Repair crews typically shut down one lane when working, then reopen that lane in time for the morning commute.

Hurtubise said the first phase of the work involves removing areas of deteriorated concrete beneath the asphalt driving surface and filling it in with rapid-setting concrete. The state is currently seeking approval from the Federal Highway Administration to use federal money for the milling and paving portion of the project.

Hurtubise said repairs to the bridge must be coordinated with the state's Fast 14 bridge-replacement project, because I-495 is one of the alternate routes that will be used for traffic.

On Dec. 16, a truck towing a horse trailer traveling north on I-495 hit a series of bumps while crossing the Merrimack River bridge. The trailer broke free and crashed. At the time, a horse was taken to an animal hospital for treatment of injuries.

Those same bumps were to blame for a Sept. 30 crash of a trailer carrying four alpacas. The animals were unharmed.

Following the December crash, the state set up electronic message boards warning drivers to slow down when crossing the bridge. Those message boards have since been replaced with four yellow signs warning drivers of the rough surface.

Repairs to the bridge started in December, but were hampered by severe winter conditions. Hurtubise said the areas in need of repairs were identified through a previous bridge inspection.

This summer, the state will replace 14 deteriorated bridge superstructures on Interstate 93 in Medford. The replacements that are the core of the Fast 14 project will take place on weekends in June, July and August (except July 4). This plan avoids impacting rush-hour traffic, according to transportation officials.

• • •

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Utility trailer goes airborne, kills 1 in crash

WE KNOW HOW TO STOP THIS!!!!! NO SAFETY CHAIN LAW IN ALABAMA!!

Utility trailer goes airborne, kills 1 in crash

May 13, 2011

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Fri May 13, 2011, 10:42 AM CDT

CULLMAN — A Hanceville woman was killed Wednesday evening, after a utility trailer being hauled by another vehicle went airborne and landed on her car on Alabama Highway 157.

Jewel Reeves Brock, 65, of Hanceville, was killed instantly when the trailer reportedly crashed through the windshield of her GMC Yukon.

The accident occurred at approximately 5:08 p.m., when a single-axle utility trailer being hauled by Cullman resident Perry Latham came loose around the Lake Catoma bridge in the south side lane of Highway 157. Latham was driving a Ford F-150.

“The trailer disconnected from the truck, struck the bridge side wall and became airborne,” Cullman Police Sgt. Jeff Warnke said. “It then went through the front windshield of a Yukon traveling northbound on Highway 157. She was killed instantly.”

After the trailer fell off Brock’s vehicle, it reportedly came to rest in the southbound lane, where it was struck by a third vehicle driven by Cullman resident James Pintaro.

“That vehicle came to a screeching halt and struck the trailer,” Warnke said. “He had four occupants with him, but there was no one injured.”

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

“Considering all the safety features normally in place, we’re still trying to figure out exactly how this happened,” Warnke said. “It was just a tragic, freak accident.”

Traffic was blocked for more than an hour and a half, and Warnke said it took authorities quite some time to clear the scene.

“It was backed up for no telling how many miles, all the way into neighborhoods,” he said.

Reports indicate everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt.



‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

LOOSE TRAILER!! A trailer rolled out onto Route 140

ALL OF THIS WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE SMALL UTILITY TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL THIS DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY A LOOSE TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE KNOW HOW TO FIX AND PREVENT THIS!!!

No Injuries Reported After Accident on Route 140

A trailer rolled out onto Route 140 causing a truck to swerve and hit a light pole.

By Jennifer Lucarelli | Email the author | May 5, 2011

Shrewsbury Police, Fire, and EMS responded to a rollover accident on Route 140, just north of Route 20 where a six-wheel box truck struck a utility pole, snapping it into three pieces, and rolled over on it side.

Dale S Urbank, 45, of 4A Fletcher Street, Plainville, was driving a 2011 Ford pickup, towing a 2004 utility trailer loaded with granite in the industrial complex at 167 Memorial Drive. As he approached the exit of the complex, the trailer he was towing became detached from the truck, and rolled out of control out onto Route 140. The trailer crossed over the northbound lane, and into the path of a 2001 Chevrolet box truck heading south, being operated by Dionicio A Nunez, 44, of 22 Jennings St., #2, of Worcester.

Mr. Nunez swerved to avoid the trailer and stuck a utility pole, causing it to snap it into three pieces. The vehicle continued to spin, and roll onto its side, spilling its contents onto the road and adjacent shoulder. Neither Mr. Nunez or his passenger reported any injury.

The cables attached to the utility pole, which feed the industrial complex and two large cell towers, came down across both lanes of Route 140 forcing police to close the road to all traffic. Several officers were needed to re-route traffic from busy Route 140 onto Routes 9, 20 and other adjacent side streets.

The Shrewsbury Board of Health was summoned to the scene by police to inspect the spilled contents from the truck, which consisted mostly of grocery dry goods. Shrewsbury Board of Health agent Robert Moore declared the load spoiled and ordered it to be discarded.

A dumpster was dispatched to the scene and was loaded with the items by crews from Lovey’s towing & recovery of Shrewsbury.

Crews from Shrewsbury Electric Light & Cable and Verizon were both on scene soon after the incident to remove and replace the snapped pole and wires.

The box truck and the trailer were removed and impounded by police pending further investigation.

Route 140 remained closed for close to four hours while police and work crews investigated and cleared the scene.

The accident is under investigation by Officer Richard Fiske, of the Shrewsbury Police Traffic Unit.

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

Runaway tank injures 5

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

ROLLING PRAIRIE — A runaway tank with anhydrous ammonia near Rolling Prairie caused two vehicles to collide, resulting in five people being injured.

At about 5 p.m. Saturday, Raymond Rehlander, 48, 3562 N. CR-175E, told sheriff’s deputies he was westbound on U.S. 20 near CR-250E and traveling only about 25 miles per hour.

The trailer hitch on his pickup truck somehow came loose, allowing the tank he was pulling to break free and cross into the eastbound lanes, police said.

Robert Moffitt, 47, of 4083 N. CR-325W, was headed eastbound and slammed on his brakes to avoid the tank darting into his path.

Police said Moffitt’s vehicle was hit in the back by Jordan Saylor, 18, of Michigan City. A passenger in Moffitt’s vehicle, Brian Moffitt, 39, complained of back pain.

Passengers in Saylor’s vehicle, Melissa Saylor, 39, along with Breanna Saylor, 14, and Kitlyn Saylor, 11, all complained of pain to their chests, police said.

Rehlander was driving a vehicle owned by Larson-Danielson Construction, La Porte, and Co-Alliance, Rolling Prairie, was the owner of the anhydrous ammonia tank, according to police.

— From staff reports

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

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Runaway tank injures 5

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

ROLLING PRAIRIE — A runaway tank with anhydrous ammonia near Rolling Prairie caused two vehicles to collide, resulting in five people being injured.

At about 5 p.m. Saturday, Raymond Rehlander, 48, 3562 N. CR-175E, told sheriff’s deputies he was westbound on U.S. 20 near CR-250E and traveling only about 25 miles per hour.

The trailer hitch on his pickup truck somehow came loose, allowing the tank he was pulling to break free and cross into the eastbound lanes, police said.

Robert Moffitt, 47, of 4083 N. CR-325W, was headed eastbound and slammed on his brakes to avoid the tank darting into his path.

Police said Moffitt’s vehicle was hit in the back by Jordan Saylor, 18, of Michigan City. A passenger in Moffitt’s vehicle, Brian Moffitt, 39, complained of back pain.

Passengers in Saylor’s vehicle, Melissa Saylor, 39, along with Breanna Saylor, 14, and Kitlyn Saylor, 11, all complained of pain to their chests, police said.

Rehlander was driving a vehicle owned by Larson-Danielson Construction, La Porte, and Co-Alliance, Rolling Prairie, was the owner of the anhydrous ammonia tank, according to police.

— From staff reports

Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

Print | E-mail | Comment (1 comment(s)) | Rate | Text Size

Runaway tank injures 5

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

ROLLING PRAIRIE — A runaway tank with anhydrous ammonia near Rolling Prairie caused two vehicles to collide, resulting in five people being injured.

At about 5 p.m. Saturday, Raymond Rehlander, 48, 3562 N. CR-175E, told sheriff’s deputies he was westbound on U.S. 20 near CR-250E and traveling only about 25 miles per hour.

The trailer hitch on his pickup truck somehow came loose, allowing the tank he was pulling to break free and cross into the eastbound lanes, police said.

Robert Moffitt, 47, of 4083 N. CR-325W, was headed eastbound and slammed on his brakes to avoid the tank darting into his path.

Police said Moffitt’s vehicle was hit in the back by Jordan Saylor, 18, of Michigan City. A passenger in Moffitt’s vehicle, Brian Moffitt, 39, complained of back pain.

Passengers in Saylor’s vehicle, Melissa Saylor, 39, along with Breanna Saylor, 14, and Kitlyn Saylor, 11, all complained of pain to their chests, police said.

Rehlander was driving a vehicle owned by Larson-Danielson Construction, La Porte, and Co-Alliance, Rolling Prairie, was the owner of the anhydrous ammonia tank, according to police.

— From staff reports

Pair have lucky escape after A46 smash

Gary Smee

24 January. Updated: 24 January 12:41

A DRIVER and his passenger had a lucky escape after a trailer came loose and smashed through their car windscreen.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the twin-axle trailer, which was being pulled by a Land Rover Discovery, weaving back and forth before it reared up and hit a Mercedes travelling in the opposite direction on the A46 bypass near Sedgeberrow on Friday (January 21) at just after 7.15am.
The horrifying incident closed road for almost three hours as firefighters battled to free the passenger in the Mercedes by removing the roof with hydraulic cutters.
The man, believed to have been in his 40s, was immobilised using a spinal board and taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch with non life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the car suffered minor injuries and the driver of the Land Rover was unhurt.
Julian Jenkins, watch manager at Evesham Fire Station, said the consequences could have been far more serious.
"I think the men can count themselves very lucky because there were bits of wood sticking into the car which just missed them," he said.
Police are appealing for witnesses.
PC Matthew Pedrick, investigating, said: "We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or either of the vehicles in the moments leading up to it.
"This took place on a busy road at the beginning of rush-hour so I anticipate a number of people may have information."
Anyone with information should call police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymouly on 0800 555 111.