Tragedy at Acadia National Park

[Michael Pancier]

Folks being careless. I've been to Thunderhole and know that in bad weather, you need to stay off the rocks. 20 people got knocked into the sea by waves caused by Hurricane Bill. Only 17 made it back.

Story here.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

This is a tragedy alright, but again goes to show how uncommon common sense is amongst people in general. What on earth were they doing on a rock ledge near mountainous seas? My mind boggles at people's stupidity.

[denise ippolito]

Ditto Akos!!

[Rocky Sharwell]

I think people just think they are immune--that it wont happen to them. I remember when I lived in Vermont there was a waterfall that was apparently tempting for some people to hike up despite it being slippery. The sign didn't stop anyone.

Michael recently had a photo posted where people were in a horrible spot in the Grand Canyon and had to walk past a really clear warning sign...

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

I am sorry to disagree with folk here but I have dealt with many tragedies over my life and I can assure you it is not only the foolish and silly that pay the penalty but mostly the uninformed and unlucky.

I helped retrieve the bodies of four policemen from a cave dive in South Australia in the eighties, all experienced, all qualified to do the dive and when we recovered the bodies from 200 feet they all still had air in their tanks, the autopsy, though inconclusive, suggested they died of fright.

The cave “The shaft” has remained closed since then.

Try not to blame folk for what happens to them but simply understand that each day we live is a balance of genetics, luck and circumstance and each of us could have been one of those that died.

God rest their souls.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I am sorry to disagree with folk here but I have dealt with many tragedies over my life and I can assure you it is not only the foolish and silly that pay the penalty but mostly the uninformed and unlucky.

I helped retrieve the bodies of four policemen from a cave dive in South Australia in the eighties, all experienced, all qualified to do the dive and when we recovered the bodies from 200 feet they all still had air in their tanks, the autopsy, though inclusive, suggested they died of fright.

The cave “The shaft” has remained closed since then.

Try not to blame folk for what happens to them but simply understand that each day we live is a balance of genetics, luck and circumstance and each of us could have been one of those that died.

God rest their souls.

At that depth I would be **** scared and die of fright myself, especially in a silt out. Most people on BPN would not even know perhaps of cave diving or the inherent and potentially deadly risks. While I have no knowledge of this incident other than a vague idea as I may have heard there has to be a good reason as to why they died of fright I do have enough understanding of diving and physics to have a little idea of what could have been a problem. Unlucky people don't dive caves like The Shaft. Who knows what mix they were diving if they were diving mix at all. If they were diving air then they surely were on the threshold of oxygen toxicity. I bet if the circumstances, dive plan etc would be known there would be some very good reasons as to why and what went wrong. Look at guys like Sheck Exley and Rob Palmer. Where are they now? In scuba heaven. :( Why? Not because they are inexperienced or misinformed or unlucky. They were pushing their own limits and paid the price. I am a firm believer that for every action there is a reaction. I will not contribute more to this discussion. :)

[Ed Cordes]

This is terrible news. According to the National News tonight the people were on rocks that were not closed. While I know and understand that we need to watch out for ourselves and really assess the risks, these people were most likely not experienced and genuinely thought they were OK without having the knowledge to stay away. Those of us who spend a lot of time outdoors have a better understanding of the dangers.

[Michael Pancier]

This is terrible news. According to the National News tonight the people were on rocks that were not closed. While I know and understand that we need to watch out for ourselves and really assess the risks, these people were most likely not experienced and genuinely thought they were OK without having the knowledge to stay away. Those of us who spend a lot of time outdoors have a better understanding of the dangers.

I heard the park service had warning signs telling folks to stay off the rocks; I've seen signs there myself.

A buddy of mine who is a great photographer, albeit takes risks, shot out there during similar conditions. this is what it looks like.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikejon...68096/sizes/o/

[William Malacarne]

The area was not closed but according to this people were warned.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=8399429

Bill

[jpons]

Wow! I have been to thunder hole more times than I can count, my wife is from Bar Harbor, and I have seen some idiotic tourists (commonly referred to as Tourons) do some crazy things here... While tragic, I have to say I am not surprised...

I am constantly amazed by how so many people seem to employ so little common sense.

-J