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Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 8:51 am
by shays_days
The husband is suing the park for $270 million dollars saying they could have avoided it by installing an $8 padlock. Which is fair. Pretty wild accident.

https://kutv.com/news/local/report-woma ... eath-claim

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:07 am
by handonbroward
Soooo...how!?

The gate swung into a car and decapitated her? Were they in a convertible with no windshield? Or standing up out the top of a vehicle? I don't understand the logistics here, or how a gate could gain enough momentum/force to cut someone's head off, unless it were like 50+ feet long.

Tragic story no matter what, hope he does get some payout if it really is as dumb as it seems.

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 11:58 am
by peter303
This a second article closer to the time of the incident. I dont know if the slightly different wording explains more.

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/articl ... 9d54a.html

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:15 pm
by timisimaginary
this is a tragic accident, and i'm sure she was a wonderful woman who was involved in doing some wonderful things.... but a description like "a young woman influencer destined to become our society's future Princess Diana, Philanthropist Melinda Gates, or Oprah Winfrey," and asking for $270 million seems.... excessive.

also, i thought the term "needlessly decapitated" was odd... is there such a thing as a "necessary decapitation"?

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:18 pm
by teamdonkey
zombies my man, zombies

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:25 pm
by Lioness
According to NBC News, Esther Nakajjigo was "needlessly decapitated" Question - when is decapitation not needless?

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:31 pm
by Lioness
There must be more to this story.

I was to Arches many times. The only way I can see this happening is if they were driving a Miata or MG car and going very fast.

The gate arm is very low - unless they changed the arm since I was there.. Take a look at this picture at the left side; the exit.
http://www.drfphoto.com/photo/23886/

Also, think about it. The driver wasn't hurt, yet the arm is near his side and would be lower then on the passenger as they exit.

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:41 pm
by Scott P
Lioness wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:31 pm There must be more to this story.

I was to Arches many times. The only way I can see this happening is if they were driving a Miata or MG car and going very fast.

The gate arm is very low - unless they changed the arm since I was there.. Take a look at this picture at the left side; the exit.
http://www.drfphoto.com/photo/23886/

Also, think about it. The driver wasn't hurt, yet the arm is near his side and would be lower then on the passenger as they exit.
I'm not sure, but I don't think that is the gate (in the photo) that is being referred to. It sounds like it was the gate coming out of the parking lot. :?:

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 2:35 pm
by Lioness
Scott P wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:41 pm
Lioness wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:31 pm There must be more to this story.

I was to Arches many times. The only way I can see this happening is if they were driving a Miata or MG car and going very fast.

The gate arm is very low - unless they changed the arm since I was there.. Take a look at this picture at the left side; the exit.
http://www.drfphoto.com/photo/23886/

Also, think about it. The driver wasn't hurt, yet the arm is near his side and would be lower then on the passenger as they exit.
I'm not sure, but I don't think that is the gate (in the photo) that is being referred to. It sounds like it was the gate coming out of the parking lot. :?:
One story says entrance the other parking lot.

I don't remember a gat exiting the parking lot.

An internationally recognized human rights activist from Uganda was killed in a tragic accident at the entrance of Arches National Park on Saturday, June 13.

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 2:49 pm
by Chicago Transplant
Absolutely tragic loss of life of who sounds like an amazing person. :cry:

Last time I was there there was a gate at the roundabout between the pay station and the visitor center/parking where the spur road goes to the admin buildings. Seems like a newer improvement as the Google Earth images do not show the roundabout, but it was there in October. This event was in June, not sure when the roundabout was built though and if this is the same gate.

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 2:54 pm
by timisimaginary
timisimaginary wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:15 pm also, i thought the term "needlessly decapitated" was odd... is there such a thing as a "necessary decapitation"?
Lioness wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 12:25 pm According to NBC News, Esther Nakajjigo was "needlessly decapitated" Question - when is decapitation not needless?
the similarity of our comments in this thread is highly disturbing. i guess it's true what they say... mediocre minds think alike.

Re: Woman decapitated by gate in Arches

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 2:59 pm
by Lioness
Newlyweds Esther Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Michaud, 26, were leaving the park June 13 to get ice cream when the gate swung out toward their car, piercing its side 'like a hot knife through butter,' according to a wrongful-death claim obtained

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... claim.html

Now I understand how this could happen.

It must have been very disturbing for the husband to see this.