View Full Version : CEO of Falls Creek in ICU after being hit
skijacski
17-07-2009, 08:53 PM
I was told this by a Falls Creek person today.
The CEO of Falls, was hit by a drunken boarder, female.
He is now in ICU Melbourne hospital and it is possible that he is permanently paralyzed.
This is all I know, I hope I don't set too many hearts aflutter.
Hope he gets better. :(
That is sad news skijac... I hope that he is ok and his injuries don't turn out to be quite as serious or permanent for that matter. Geeze it sends shivers down my spine and makes me a little nauseous at the realisation that we are all at risk from such accidents.. the thought of my children getting hurt in such a way or worst still killed due the irresponsible behaviour of another makes me sick. The female responsible for his injuries is going to have a lot to answer for.. shame on her :mad:
Thoughts and prayers for him and his family
Paul Oberin
17-07-2009, 09:31 PM
It is a bit confusing as to who is the CEO at Falls did they mention a name.
Not good news in any case, I hope they can make a full recovery.
Middo
17-07-2009, 09:33 PM
Originally posted by JSJ:
Geeze it sends shivers down my spine and makes me a little nauseous at the realisation that we are all at risk from such accidents.. the thought of my children getting hurt in such a way or worst still killed due the irresponsible behaviour of another makes me sick. Yep, life can dish out stuff that none of us can comprehend.
Sad news.
Totalyrottn
17-07-2009, 10:34 PM
Not good at all, hope he recovers fully
chunky
17-07-2009, 11:09 PM
It's concerning that a drunk snowboarder has done this if it is true.
Polaris
17-07-2009, 11:23 PM
It is concerning that a drunk anybody has done this if it is true.
Lets not go down that path hey. ;)
Paul Oberin
17-07-2009, 11:26 PM
If we are talking about Schryver or how ever it is spelt, I think he is now CEO of Perisher, Falls and Hotham.
ozgirl
17-07-2009, 11:48 PM
I am sure Chuckt meant 'rider'
It is concerning that people ride whilst drunk...
I hope she gets fined!!!
chunky
17-07-2009, 11:57 PM
Originally posted by Polaris:
It is concerning that a drunk anybody has done this if it is true.
Lets not go down that path hey. ;) Correct I was more focusing on the drunk bit more than what type of rider it was.
chunky
17-07-2009, 11:58 PM
And if they had any balls that person would not be able to slide there for now.
Originally posted by chunky:
And if they had any balls that person would not be able to slide there for now. Why not a 2 or 3 year, or more ban. If someone gets on a bicycle and takes out another person, they are liable, and subject to the same laws as a motorist.
If the victim in this "accident" is paralysed, or has any other permanent injury, I think the accused should be banned for life and go through some sort of rehab.
Originally posted by Paul Oberin:
If we are talking about Schryver or how ever it is spelt, I think he is now CEO of Perisher, Falls and Hotham. Nah me don't thinks so... would have heard about that change if it had occured.. Peter Bruelisuer (spelling :confused: ) is still at the top of the ladder here.
Paul Oberin
18-07-2009, 01:51 PM
Originally posted by JSJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Paul Oberin:
If we are talking about Schryver or how ever it is spelt, I think he is now CEO of Perisher, Falls and Hotham. Nah me don't thinks so... would have heard about that change if it had occured.. Peter Bruelisuer (spelling :confused: ) is still at the top of the ladder here. </font>[/QUOTE]Which is why the confusion, as I thought Lyn Gibb was the boss at Falls Creek, then I heard it was Michael Callahan.
Originally posted by Paul Oberin:
Which is why the confusion, as I thought Lyn Gibb was the boss at Falls Creek, then I heard it was Michael Callahan.
yeh... tis a bit confusing.. Lyn Gibbs appears to be the general manager of Falls according to this link http://www.fallscreek.com.au/BoardProfiles
[ 18. July 2009, 01:05 PM: Message edited by: JSJ ]
Ross Passalaqua is the name reported as CEO in this article
http://www.spicenews.com.au/2009/06/23/article/Quay-West-Heats-Up-Falls-Creek/PAYDUTQGCK.html
rider26
18-07-2009, 06:32 PM
This is horrible news, regarless of who was hit or who hit them. It's never cool when someone gets hurt on the hill. I hope they make a full recovery.
If you hear any updates please let us know.
tambo
19-07-2009, 10:03 AM
I was at Falls yesterday, that's not the man they were talking about. Apparently he is hurt, has spinal injuries, but is expected to be ok.
Originally posted by rider26:
This is horrible news, regarless of who was hit or who hit them. It's never cool when someone gets hurt on the hill. I hope they make a full recovery.
If you hear any updates please let us know. Yea, agreed!
Let's hope they recover OK.
AndDee
19-07-2009, 01:26 PM
Originally posted by Polaris:
It is concerning that a drunk anybody has done this if it is true.
Fact was it was a drunk snowboarder
End of story
Best wishes to the person at the receiving end of the "accident"
Worst wishes to the drunken snowboarder involved
[ 19. July 2009, 12:26 PM: Message edited by: AndDee ]
Originally posted by AndDee:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Polaris:
It is concerning that a drunk anybody has done this if it is true.
Fact was it was a drunk snowboarder
End of story
</font>[/QUOTE]Really? You know this for a fact? Were you there? Did you know the people involved or are you just going by what you've read or heard?
AndDee
19-07-2009, 01:49 PM
Hangover make brain work slowly..
I don't know anything else except the first post in this thread, but that did say a snowboarder & drunk.
At this stage it's all hearsay I guess graemlins/snow_cool.gif
[ 19. July 2009, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: AndDee ]
AndDee
19-07-2009, 01:49 PM
No need for my crap in here smile.gif graemlins/snowman.gif
[ 19. July 2009, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: AndDee ]
No matter what the situation which has occurred to end with someone in hospital with spinal injuries is horrible, no matter who they are.
Making comments on the situation without actually knowing the facts and talking about things that may or may not be true however does not help the situation.
To whoever was injured (still there is no confirmation of who in this thread) I wish you a speedy recovery. smile.gif
AndDee
19-07-2009, 03:11 PM
If you have an issue with what has been posted perhaps look at the first post in this thread
Legolas
19-07-2009, 03:43 PM
Mr legs and I had lunch at kareela yesterday and couldn't get over how much booze was going down.
One couple with two kids: dad had a steady flow of those massive glasses of beer (about as tall as a wine bottle!) and mum had the whole bottle of wine. How they could get themselves and little kids safely down the icy slope from there is any mans guess!!
I think the impact and weight of a board with a body on sliding sideways at speed will possibly do a bit more damage than flailing Arms legs and planks which is why the boarders seem to appear the bigger villians for wipeouts. This doesn't mean skiers are any more responsible, it's just their accidents aren't as guaranteed to cause such an impact.
tambo
19-07-2009, 07:10 PM
There is confirmation, a top job man at Falls WAS injured. The only thing we are not confirming is the name, and out of respect to the family I think that is a reasonable thing?
Everyday people are injured on our snowfields, be it their own fault or someone else's fault. We just do our best to ensure that those we care for and we ourselves do not cause or contribute to an accident. However, sometimes no matter what we do, as humans we cannot predict the behaviour of those around us, and sometimes, gear fails. None of us want to be in an accident nor even witness one. Many people do not take "a snow holiday" seriously, and expect free run anywhere they chose.
No-one really "likes" ski-patrol, but they have a difficult and demanding job trying to keep a lot of people safe from themselves!
[ 19. July 2009, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: tambo ]
Paul Oberin
19-07-2009, 07:37 PM
I like ski patrollers, they have a job to do and people should obey the rules for everyones safety.
I hope that he is ok... I think it was last year.. maybe the year before.. but we lost 3 lives on the mountain in one day!.. I'm sure most could recall these deaths.. it is a scarey fact that we are all vunerable when enjoying our favourite sport. I hope he makes a full recovery. I personally feel that no-one should be allowed to drink alcohol and then hit the slopes.. maybe ski patrol could introduce random breath tests on the mountain.. that would be very interesting! Perisher randomly breath tests their staff throughout the season.. obviously for OHS reasons.. why should it be any different for guests to put lives in danger??!! I know it is a culture throughout resorts.. but the two (riding/skiing + drinking) should not be mixed at the same time. I'm suprised they allow the whole "pub to pub" adventure each year.
[ 19. July 2009, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: JSJ ]
Originally posted by Paul Oberin:
I like ski patrollers, they have a job to do and people should obey the rules for everyones safety. I agree Paul. Aren't a majority of ski patol volunteers?
Originally posted by AndDee:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Polaris:
It is concerning that a drunk anybody has done this if it is true.
Fact was it was a drunk snowboarder
End of story
Best wishes to the person at the receiving end of the "accident"
Worst wishes to the drunken snowboarder involved </font>[/QUOTE]sounds like you are leading with your chin
oh and drinking and snow sports dont mix
tambo
19-07-2009, 08:31 PM
Originally posted by JSJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Paul Oberin:
I like ski patrollers, they have a job to do and people should obey the rules for everyones safety. I agree Paul. Aren't a majority of ski patol volunteers? </font>[/QUOTE]Absolutely. Very few are paid, though they get their pass as one of the perks. And if you were missing, injured or in need, that person in the red jacket with a cross on it quickly becomes a best friend.
Polaris
19-07-2009, 08:47 PM
Originally posted by JSJ:
I personally feel that no-one should be allowed to drink alcohol and then hit the slopes.. maybe ski patrol could introduce random breath tests on the mountain.. that would be very interesting! Perisher randomly breath tests their staff throughout the season.. obviously for OHS reasons.. why should it be any different for guests to put lives in danger??!! I know it is a culture throughout resorts.. but the two (riding/skiing + drinking) should not be mixed at the same time. I'm suprised they allow the whole "pub to pub" adventure each year. I disagree totally.
I do not want to become a part of a nanny state.
If people took more responsibility for their own actions instead of blaming someone/something else, then maybe we can get back some sort of balance to life.
Podlettte
19-07-2009, 09:26 PM
I don't think random breath tests by patrol should be brought in, I do think that the RSA (responsible service of alcohol) needs to be adhered to much more strictly or things made tighter.
I've seen quite a few incidents this season (on and off the slopes) where the person causing the trouble was well past the level they should have been served or drinking alcohol.
As for the person at Falls - who ever it is I hope they recover fully and don't suffer long term damage to their body because of this.
Butters
19-07-2009, 09:28 PM
I reckon if you're not fit to drive a car, then you shouldn't be allowed on the snow.
Drink-driving is illegal because you can kill others with your own stupidity.
Why is the snow any different?
Polaris
19-07-2009, 10:33 PM
Originally posted by Butters:
I reckon if you're not fit to drive a car, then you shouldn't be allowed on the snow.
Drink-driving is illegal because you can kill others with your own stupidity.
Why is the snow any different? Because you are not riding a powered vehicle
Snowmobiles, over snows etc all come under the DIU regulations as they should, they are registered road vehicles and should have all those rules applied as such
Snow sports are inherently risky.
They involve speed, natural and artificial obstacles.
So does surfing
So does skateboarding
So does wind surfing
So does golf for that matter!!!!
Where do you want to stop?
FFS I remember when kids used to fall off bikes or playground equipment and break an arm and treat it as a battle scar of growing up, not sue the local council for putting the park or playground there in the 1st place. :rolleyes:
A regulated blood alcohol level for snow sports is both unpoliceable as well as another step towards a Nanny State which I don't want my children to be a part of.
[/end rant]
Hairfarmr aka FZ
20-07-2009, 12:53 AM
Wow quite a discussion.... sorry to here about the Dude... anyhoo there seems to be some question (for Me anyway) as to what should happen to the perp... and i cannot believe that there are no laws on the books to cover these things... here in the states if you are found to be negligent onslope and injure someone forget about skiing/riding at that resort EVER AGAIN and forget about your freedom for a while (depending on the injuries) for as much as a year ... accidents do happen sometimes it's not the drunk thats at fault (altho mostly it is) so its not like there are alot of jailed skiers and riders but it is food for thought
Triple B
20-07-2009, 06:36 AM
Originally posted by Polaris:
Snow sports are inherently risky.
They involve speed, natural and artificial obstacles.
C'mon Polaris, surely you cannot condone being on the slopes whilst affected by alcohol.
No doubt snow sports are inherently risky, but I think you're entitled to be protected from harm by some selfish imbecile who chooses to slide/ride whilst affected by alcohol. It's exactly why drink driving is such an issue, you cause hurt and injury to others, not just yourself.
I can't believe u wouldn't be mighty ****ed if those same kids u don't want to grow up in a nanny state were taken out by a drunk whilst on the slopes.
[ 20. July 2009, 05:37 AM: Message edited by: Triple B ]
Originally posted by Polaris:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Butters:
I reckon if you're not fit to drive a car, then you shouldn't be allowed on the snow.
Drink-driving is illegal because you can kill others with your own stupidity.
Why is the snow any different? Because you are not riding a powered vehicle
Snowmobiles, over snows etc all come under the DIU regulations as they should, they are registered road vehicles and should have all those rules applied as such
Snow sports are inherently risky.
They involve speed, natural and artificial obstacles.
So does surfing
So does skateboarding
So does wind surfing
So does golf for that matter!!!!
Where do you want to stop?
FFS I remember when kids used to fall off bikes or playground equipment and break an arm and treat it as a battle scar of growing up, not sue the local council for putting the park or playground there in the 1st place. :rolleyes:
A regulated blood alcohol level for snow sports is both unpoliceable as well as another step towards a Nanny State which I don't want my children to be a part of.
[/end rant] </font>[/QUOTE]Well said Polaris, I agree.
It's all about being careful, observant & sensible enough regardless of what you are doing and if you are drunk, stoned, tried, injured or whatever.
Most capable & sensible sportspeople/hobbyists can enjoy & partake in thier activity after a few drinks more safely than the seemingly increasing amount of idiots out there just being stupid.
Dependent on your ability, age, experience alcohol can be an enjoyable snow activity relative to how much is consumed. RSA determines that the people serving the drinks are responsible for any incident that happens until the drunk is safe in their home. If someone gets hurt because of a drunk it's the fault of the establishment - not the individual - not the alcohol.
It's been shown that driving while tired is worse than driving drunk.
On the snow I'd rather be in the way of a drunk experienced snowboarder, than a sober skier with an hour of lessons under their belt.
Schnapps keeps me warm.
Originally posted by spaz:
Dependent on your ability, age, experience alcohol can be an enjoyable snow activity relative to how much is consumed. RSA determines that the people serving the drinks are responsible for any incident that happens until the drunk is safe in their home. If someone gets hurt because of a drunk it's the fault of the establishment - not the individual - not the alcohol.
It's been shown that driving while tired is worse than driving drunk.
On the snow I'd rather be in the way of a drunk experienced snowboarder, than a sober skier with an hour of lessons under their belt.
Schnapps keeps me warm. I agree.. it should be the RSA that regulates and steps up to the plate so to speak.. but come on people let's be realistic here.. that is just not going to happen any time too soon.. if these nobel bar waiters/waitress/managers/licencees took their positions seriously enough we probably wouldn't have half of the alcohol related offences. Responsible consumption of alcohol comes with maturity.. yet there are a hell of a lot of young stupid irresponsible drinkers amoungst us during our winter season.. and they take on an immortal kind of attitude and I believe they are allowed to get away with far too much. I'd put a large sum of money on the table and bet that a lot of hoons who carry on irresponsibly on the slopes are not just affected by alcohol.. pop a few pills into the equation and it all just gets worse. Take the alcohol fueled situation on our city streets for example.. we don't want our slopes plagued with the same carp.. NO! I STRONGLY believe something more should be done to discourage drinking whilst on the slopes.. this is a family sport.. we have a right to feel safe.. as do our children. Look at all the big league games that have a NO ALCOHOL Ban on them. It would be nice to be able to enjoy a drink (such as schnapps ;) num num) responsibly and know that everyone else can be mature enough to be as responsible too.. however, in this day and age I don't think 'responsible consumption of alcohol' is part of our youth's mentality.. or some of the older crowd for that matter(I don't wish to generalise too much).
The other night (early morning 2.30am) I was out on my back porch begging for my drunken partying neighbours to "please keep it down".. but one bright young bloke just wanted to carry on in his drunken stupoir and proceeded to get on to his skiis and made his way down to the steepest set of steps he could find and challenge himself to a bit of concrete skiing.. not a real bright idea!
[ 20. July 2009, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: JSJ ]
Snowie Meli
20-07-2009, 10:32 AM
Originally posted by JSJ:
I agree.. it should be the RSA that regulates and steps up to the plate so to speak.. but come on people let's be realistic here.. that is just not going to happen any time too soon.. if these nobel bar waiters/waitress/managers/licencees took their positions seriously enough we probably wouldn't have half of the alcohol related offences.
Seriously, the responsibility lies on the individual not the person serving it. I know by law that's not the case, but it should be! How ridiculous is it, that if you get drunk and injure someone, that you can hold the person who served YOU the alcohol accountable - I strongly disagree, we should all take responsibility for our own actions - enough with the shifting of blame I say.
Snowie Meli
20-07-2009, 10:33 AM
^^I don't think I have that quoting function down pat yet ...
Part and part agree; I've been caught out myself, unaware of how drunk I've become because I'm drunk.
Alcohol inhibits judgment and can easily inhibit the ability to stop when you've had enough or make you loose count of how many you've had.
A big night for me is 5-6 drinks, that's my responsible stumble home limit but after six I have trouble distinguishing that number with 10.
There is a reason the flare run slowly wonders from side to side down the supertrail and you need to be of above average ability ;)
How about some common sense, (I know a lot of people lack it), and takeing responsibility for you own actions. Quite simple really
Polaris
20-07-2009, 11:17 AM
Originally posted by JSJ:
The other night (early morning 2.30am) I was out on my back porch begging for my drunken partying neighbours to "please keep it down".. but one bright young bloke just wanted to carry on in his drunken stupoir and proceeded to get on to his skiis and made his way down to the steepest set of steps he could find and challenge himself to a bit of concrete skiing.. not a real bright idea! So if things had of gone pear shape and he broke himself or someone/something else, who is to blame?
He is!!!
Nobody else.
Not the bottle shop that sold him the takeaway
Not his mates who he was drinking with
I really wish people would turn back time and accept responsibility for their own actions
As Spaz said a bit earlier, being exhausted on the ski slopes can be as bad as being drunk on the slopes and I dare suggest that popping a pill on the slopes may well be worse than either!!
Being exhausted in a car can be as devastating as being drunk in a car.... just witnessed last week as we all know
Are we going to ask a guest as they purchase a ticket in the morning how many hours sleep they had last night?
There is only one thing wrong with common sense, it is not common, but if people accepted responsibility for themselves then even the thought of a Nanny State controlling having a beer at lunch time whilst skiing would be were it belongs, blowing towards Dalgety like everything else today
[ 20. July 2009, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: Polaris ]
John Deere
20-07-2009, 11:39 AM
I hope the injured guy gets better.
I ski.
I like a beer with lunch sometimes.
I have never hit anyone.
Polaris
20-07-2009, 11:49 AM
ditto JD
Same here. I think it is knowing your limit that is the key. Like common sense, too many people lack this ability
John Deere
20-07-2009, 12:07 PM
I did come a little close to hitting someone I was skiing with yesterday....I was stone cold sober.....I had a beer with lunch and never came close afterwards.
I still hope the hit guy gets better.
Donza
20-07-2009, 12:13 PM
Originally posted by John Deere:
I hope the injured guy gets better.
I ski.
I like a beer with lunch sometimes.
I have never hit anyone. I snowboard.
I like a beer with lunch sometimes.
I have hit a couple of people . (in 15 years of sliding). Without Alcohol.
I drive up the hill..so i'm never going to have many drinkies. DUI in the carpark.
Alcohol + Snow = the culture we have evolved.
platinumbunny
20-07-2009, 12:21 PM
I firmly believe that the person who hit that person and caused those injuries should have had his blood alcohol limit tested as soon as humanly possible.
It is illegal to ride a horse and be over the legal limit, alcohol wise. What makes it any different on skis/board/whatever?
I can understand that you don't want Australia to become a "Nanny State" and for people to take responsibility for their own actions, not sue the bartender for serving too many drinks, however these laws are in place for a reason. After a certain point, a person may be too intoxicated to realise how many he has in fact had - and it is the responsibility of the sober bartender to determine whether it is in fact safe to continue to serve him. Conditions come into play. An individual may normally have 5-6 bourbon and cokes over the course of a few hours, and be fine. However, change the conditions, he has been skiing all day, his metabolism is firing, his stomach is empty, he is drinking it faster as a result of the cold - the drinker may not realise that the alcohol is hitting him as fast as it is, and it is the responsibility of the bartender to keep an eye on his patrons and attempt to monitor the situation to the best of his ability.
I become angered when friends come back from a week at the snow and tell me that it is the drunkest they have ever been, and then they show me photographs and videos of them attempting to ski/board/taboggan whilst hammered. The photos aren't funny or clever, they are stupid and dangerous.
Further to the matter at hand, I do believe that the person responsible for the accident should be held accountable. I also believe that if they were well over the legal limit and they were drinking at a licensed bar, the bar should also be held accountable. RSA laws exist for a reason and being "at the snow" isn't a valid excuse to ignore them.
My thoughts go out to the person injured and their family, I wish them a speedy and full recovery.
Caboose
20-07-2009, 12:30 PM
it is against the Alpine Responsibility Code to ride under the effect of Alcohol or Drugs
it is up to everyone to know their limits and act accordingly
it is hard enough dodging beginners on the slopes ;)
i hope the injured party recovers to full health :D
Butters
20-07-2009, 09:52 PM
Originally posted by Caboose:
it is against the Alpine Responsibility Code to ride under the effect of Alcohol or Drugs
not quite true Caboose!! It's against the Code to ride if your ability is IMPAIRED by alcohol or drugs. Some might argue that their ability is enhanced tongue.gif
having said that, I do think that many people drink too much at lunchtime. If I had anything to drink at lunchtime, I'd be asleep!
John Deere
20-07-2009, 10:47 PM
You obviously don't ski hard enough!
Polaris
21-07-2009, 08:03 PM
Originally posted by Caboose:
it is against the Alpine Responsibility Code to ride under the effect of Alcohol or Drugs
only problem with that is that it is a "code", not "law"
Originally posted by Caboose:
it is up to everyone to know their limits and act accordingly
Is that this "common sense" we have been talking about ;)
Originally posted by Caboose:
it is hard enough dodging beginners on the slopes ;) pole plant practice graemlins/cold.gif
Originally posted by Caboose:
i hope the injured party recovers to full health :D 110% in agreeance there!!
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