First Segway fatality?

It's been a few years since the Segway Human Transporter was released, and while the nay-sayers predicted causalities on sidewalks around the world, so far there hasn't been anything more than a handful of uneventful incidents, and no fatalities. At least not until now: the first Segway-related fatality may have occured last week in Las Vegas, NV when a 59 year old took a spill in the pit area during the SKUSA SuperNats  car racing event being held there. Not too much on details like if he was wearing a helmet, only that he was riding a Segway when he went down.

[robert boyd @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Truly unfortunate, as well as ironic. He was a advocate and early adodpter of new technology Did everyone fail to notice he had ties to what is now theFranklin Covey Company. I am a tablet PC user and love thier day planner product.

[Hunter @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

We've gone from Seattle to New York (and will finish next week in Boston and Bedford, NH) on a Segway. No causalties for us. Been pretty crazy having Mac trucks fly by at just a few feet away, though.

http://www.10mph.com

[Winston Steele @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Apparently YVR (the Vancouver Intl. Airport) was set to buy a dozen Segways for the Security staff. The officer who was to train the others was the first to receive one ... for testing. He fell (hard) on the marble floor and shattered his shoulder (not covered by pads).

Not only will he likely never work again (his arm doesn't work) ... but YVR gets no Segways (for now).

:-(

[SK @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

It's amazing how people attribute fault to the device before all the evidence has been analyzed. I am sorry for the family of the man who died, but quite frankly, accidents happen all the time. The only reason this one as well as the Vancouver incident get attention is because the persons were on Segways at the time of their tumbles.

Who knew if they were operating it incorrectly or recklessly.

-S

[simon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

"but YVR gets no Segways (for now). "

good. i HATE segways.

[010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

i also hate people who inexplicably still refer to them as "Ginger" or "It"... um. no. it's called a "Segway" and no. no one thinks you're extra hip.

[Einstein @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Is this incident confirmed or just a rumor? Are we passing judgment about Segways now based on hearsay? I haven't heard one other mention of this so called Segway related death. Anyone know if the guy had a heart attack and simply fell off?
Even if this death turns out to be connected to being on a Segway, it's not exactly unexpected--not because a Segway is particularly dangerous, but because accidents will happen, especially when there are those prone to doing very stupid things. In fact, each year in the U.S. about 18,000 people are killed in cars and trucks. Feel safe on your feet? Don't get too comfortable because 6,000 pedestrians each year in the U.S. are killed and another 300 fall and die. And the beloved bicycle results in 700 deaths each year in the U.S. I don't see any rushes to ban driving, walking, and biking. How silly that some people want to restrict the use of Segways when they have been among the safest forms of transportation on the planet!

[Mario Ramos @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Could be useful include the number of accidents with bikes, stairs or walking. The only safe place is to stay the whole day on the bed.
This accident was due injury on the head. Wjat happened with the helmet?

[Icobod @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Manchester News
Thursday, 14th June 2001

Patient, 91, killed by bed

AN ELDERLY patient in a Cheshire nursing home suffocated when her head became trapped between the mattress and the side of her bed.

Gladys Emery, 91, was found dead by staff at the Heliosa Nursing Home in Congleton, an inquest heard.

The inquest at Macclesfield, where a jury returned an accidental verdict, heard that Mrs Emery was a restless sleeper and had cot rails on both sides of the bed.

But the rails did not reach to the head of the bed and she became trapped in the gap.

Health and safety inspector David Shallcross said hazard warning notices had been issued by the Medical Advice Agency.

But Lyndis Swindon, the owner of the home, said: "It is so sad. I have used that bed and cot sides for 10 years without problems." Mrs Emery�s son-in-law, Clive Lovatt, said he blamed no-one for what happened.

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/27/27535_patient_91_killed_by_bed.html

HURRY EVERYONE, WE MUST BAN ALL BEDS!! SLEEPING CAN KILL YOU!

The Segway is a remarkable creation that should be embraced and explored. Those who project their own insecurities, ignorance and fears by lashing out at the Segway ought to discover it for themselves by taking a ride. Funny how most people with an "informed opinion" have never even been on one! Can accidents happen? Of course--when enough people do anything someone will get hurt or killed. I've heard of someone getting killed from bending over to pick something up from the floor, banging their head on the corner of a table and dying. Quick, ban all tables with corners!

[Learn more @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Harry, you're poorly informed, period. Obviously, you've never been on a Segway and probably have never even seen one in action, otherwise you would know that a Segway can easily be brought up stairs or curbs under power; one does not have to "lug" anything. Bikes can be on the heavy side, not all are 22lb toothpicks, and bikes cannot be brought up stairs under power, ever. 1/10 the cost? I've seen plenty of bikes that are $2500+, making many high end bikes only about half the cost, and it's not hard to find bikes that are nearly the same cost as a Segway. I have had years of experience riding a bicycle and years of experience riding a Segway. Certainly, the bike has its uses, but so does the Segway, and there are times where each is appropriate. Mostly, I prefer riding my Segway (I have mountain bike too). A Segway is SO much more fun! I can say that from having extensive experience with both a bike and Segway. Funny, but I'm not sure why you think your opinion means a whole lot here, since you've never been on a Segway, much less seen one up close. For recreation, exercise and athletic competition a bike can be useful. As transportation, however, I would rather not have to huff & puff around in biking attire and be forced to merge with car traffic. For transportation, and exceptionally fun transportation at that, I far prefer my Segway. Unless you're a marathon rider, the 20 mile range of the Segway coming out soon (April 2005) would be tough to beat on a bike. I also feel much safer on the sidewalk than the street. Each year in the U.S. approximately two bicyclists are killed EVERYDAY. The worst that can said about the Segway safety record is that maybe one person has died and we don't even seem to be sure about it or the circumstances. People often seem to want to compare a Segway to walking or biking, but I think a much more fair comparison would be to a car. Again, a car has its uses, but there are times when I leave my car at home and take my Segway instead and avoid the expenses of gas and parking. Cars also have an atrocious safety record (about 50 people a day die in cars & trucks in the U.S., many are very short, local rides), so statistically I believe I'm much safer on my Segway than in my car.