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Tag: extreme sports

  • Paralyzed Snowboarder’s Attorneys Blame Resort’s Jump Design For Accident

    Myles Bagley was 18 years old when he was injured at Mt. Bachelor in 2006. He was paralyzed from the waist down, and sought $21.5 million in 2008. However, his case was thrown out by the presiding judge.

    Now, the Oregon Supreme Court is asking to invalidate the liability waiver presented by Mt. Bachelor. Bagley’s attorneys say that the resort has some sort of responsibility in the accident because of the jump’s design. Attorneys for Mt. Bachelor argue that anyone snowboarding from the expert jump must consider the risk that goes with it.

    Mt. Bachelor

    Kathryn Clarke, one of the paralyzed snowboarder’s attorneys, said that Bagley knew the risk of the sport. “That’s what he thought he was agreeing to, assuming the risks of the sport. But that’s not what happened.” She continued, Bagley made a jump, but the design of Mt. Bachelor was flawed, resulting in injury.

    Arguments between the two parties have been going on back and forth. Mt. Bachelor’s camp compared the incident to going to a movie theater saying that, those who go to the movies do not expect a projector to fall down on their heads.

    Bagley’s case could have a big impact on release agreements that must be signed by a person before taking part in risky activities. Detailed rules are available for amusement park rides, but details on recreational activities are yet to be defined in detail.

    On Wednesday, a group gathered at Astoria High School and discussed the difference between risks that snowboarders and skiers take on expert slopes, and the responsibility of the park owners to make sure that people are safe.

    Chief Justice Thomas Balmer cited an incident. Shaun White, an American snowboarder decided to withdraw from the Olympic slopestyle in Russia because he was concerned about his safety. Balmer asked Andre C. Balyeat, Mt. Bachelor’s attorney, how the situation was different to Bagley’s.

    Balyeat answered, “Nowhere does it say that a mogul or a tabletop jump isn’t part of the risk.”

    Dangers Of Snowboarding

    Image via YouTube

  • BASE Jumper Dies At Zion National Park In Utah

    Another BASE jumper was killed after jumping off from one of the peaks at the Zion National Park in Utah. This is the second BASE jumping fatality recorded in the park.

    Zion National Park is Utah’s most popular park, and is known for narrow canyons and sandstone cliffs. Many BASE jumpers visit the park even though BASE jumping is banned there. BASE is an acronym for “building, antenna, span, and earth.” BASE jumpers leap off from high locations with their parachutes including tall buildings, bridges, and cliffs.

    On Sunday, a helicopter spotted the unnamed man who was killed. Reports indicate that the body was in a treacherous and steep area where crosswinds are strong. The body has not yet been recovered, and it may take a few days before they get to it. A search team will be dispatched to the area, where rappelling and climbing is required to reach the body’s location. Alyssa Baltrus, the park service spokesperson, also said that they would be using a helicopter if possible.

    BASE jumping is an activity that is illegal in all national parks in the United States. However, BASE jumpers still find a way to carry on with their activity in the park without being noticed. Authorities are always on the lookout for BASE jumpers and issue tickets to those who are caught.

    The incident is not the first death in the park. Just a month ago, Amber Bellows, 28, was killed when she jumped 2,000 feet from Mount Kinesava in the Zion National Park and her parachute did not open.

    BASE jumper Amber Bellows tragically lost her life in February when her parachute failed to open.

    Another death was reported on Friday when Kevin Morroun, 35, fell from “The Sweet Spot,” a canyon near Moab. He fell roughly around 400 feet.

    Authorities are still waiting for the body to be recovered before releasing a statement and declaring name of the BASE jumper who died.

    Incredible BASE Jumping. Watch.

    Here’s what can happen when a jump goes wrong

    Image via YouTube