Monster trucks to return to Tacoma Dome
Monster trucks are scheduled to roar through the Tacoma Dome next month, with two shows on the one-year anniversary of an accident that killed a 6-year-old boy in the arena stands.
Monster trucks are scheduled to roar through the Tacoma Dome next month, with two shows on the one-year anniversary of an accident that killed a 6-year-old boy in the arena stands.
Tickets for Monster Jam are set to go on sale to the general public Monday. Five shows are scheduled the weekend of Jan. 15-17.
Sebastian Hizey, a Graham Elementary kindergartner, died of head injuries after parts of a behemoth truck disintegrated during a Jan. 16 performance, sending debris spewing into the stands.
Tacoma Dome and Feld Motor Sports officials said Thursday that additional safety precautions will be taken when the popular drive-and-smash spectacle returns to the city.
They include closing off 960 seats in the first few rows at the east and west ends of the arena, assistant Dome director Rob Henson said. Sebastian and his family were close to the action in the Northwest corner of the Dome when the Frisbee-sized chunk of metal soared into the seats.
In addition, every truck to perform next month will be inspected prior to each show, said Bill Easterly, senior director of operations for Feld Motor Sports, the event organizer.
Trucks also will be reinspected after any accident or problem before they’re allowed back on the track, Easterly said. Witnesses criticized the promoter for letting Natural High back on the track after it had problems in an earlier run.
Dome officials worked with the company on some safety issues, but the city is relying on Feld to ensure all precautions are taken and met, Henson said.
“They’re the recognized leader in the field of motor sports, and the Tacoma Dome relies upon Feld’s expertise and fully supports Feld’s unwavering commitment to safety,” he said.
The boy’s parents couldn’t be reached for comment, but their attorney, Brad Moore, said Thursday they’re disappointed the trucks are returning and don’t believe adequate measures will be in place to protect spectators.
Sebastian’s father, Jessie, reached a monetary settlement with Feld Entertainment, Inc., of Vienna, Va., in August, but the amount was not disclosed. A lawsuit was never filed in the death and there were no claims filed against the city in connection with the accident, city spokeswoman Karrie Spitzer said.
Family members and friends suggested perhaps nets could be installed to protect the public. The promoter says that’s impractical at a venue like the Dome.
The city’s contract with Feld Motor Sports for the 2010 shows requires the company to provide liability insurance and contains provisions protecting the city from claims.
Christine Moe, who watched in shock as Sebastian lay mortally injured and bleeding near her seats that night, “would never, ever attend another event like that after what happened,” she said Thursday afternoon.
“I think it’s a bad idea” the trucks are returning to the Tacoma Dome, she added.
Some fans complained immediately after the accident that the show wasn’t stopped while paramedics rendered aid and that the remaining shows went on over that weekend after the boy’s death.
Other fans labeled the accident a one-time fluke and said they were confident the promoters would look out for their safety.
Some 55,000 people attended the five shows in January, Henson said.
Steve Payne, Feld Entertainment spokesman, said the company has “played Tacoma” for years and that its shows “are very, very popular with fans.” He said he wasn’t aware whether there were any discussions about the 2010 shows occurring on the anniversary of Sebastian’s death.
“These tours are booked years in advance,” he said. “I don’t believe there will be any problems playing those dates.”
The new slate of shows wasn’t announced until days ago, and there was no specific ticket information on the Internet on Thursday, though Henson said tickets will go on sale to the general public Monday. They’ll sell for $10 and $20, he said.
Fans call the Dome daily asking when the monster trucks will return, Henson said.
Natural High, the monster truck involved in the accident, isn’t listed among performing machines this season on the Monster Jam Web site. The exact cause of the accident has never been pinpointed and is still being investigated, Easterly said.
The company does acknowledge that there were defective welds on the modified Chevy SSR’s drive line, he added.
Natural High’s wheels were spinning as the truck did “doughnuts” on the dirt field. The monster trucks – some weighing 9,000 pounds or more – drive over obstacles, pop wheelies and engage in competitions during the shows. Feld puts on dozens of the shows around the world every year.
Sebastian Hizey’s death is the only one in Monster Jam history, Payne said.
“We extend our sympathies to the family,” Easterly said. “We think about it every day,” he said of the accident.
Though serious accidents are rare at monster truck events, The Associated Press reported earlier this year that at least five people died and more than 40 were injured at monster truck shows from 1992 to 2007. Several companies produce the shows and thousands of such events are held each year.
Moore, the attorney for Sebastian’s family, said he hopes the event producer has “done something” to address safety issues.
“Otherwise, they’ll just be exposing someone else to the tragedy that occurred this year,” he said.
Source: Monster trucks to return to Tacoma Dome
Monster trucks are scheduled to roar through the Tacoma Dome next month, with two shows on the one-year anniversary of an accident that killed a 6-year-old boy in the arena stands.
Tickets for Monster Jam are set to go on sale to the general public Monday. Five shows are scheduled the weekend of Jan. 15-17.
Sebastian Hizey, a Graham Elementary kindergartner, died of head injuries after parts of a behemoth truck disintegrated during a Jan. 16 performance, sending debris spewing into the stands.
Tacoma Dome and Feld Motor Sports officials said Thursday that additional safety precautions will be taken when the popular drive-and-smash spectacle returns to the city.
They include closing off 960 seats in the first few rows at the east and west ends of the arena, assistant Dome director Rob Henson said. Sebastian and his family were close to the action in the Northwest corner of the Dome when the Frisbee-sized chunk of metal soared into the seats.
In addition, every truck to perform next month will be inspected prior to each show, said Bill Easterly, senior director of operations for Feld Motor Sports, the event organizer.
Trucks also will be reinspected after any accident or problem before they’re allowed back on the track, Easterly said. Witnesses criticized the promoter for letting Natural High back on the track after it had problems in an earlier run.
Dome officials worked with the company on some safety issues, but the city is relying on Feld to ensure all precautions are taken and met, Henson said.
“They’re the recognized leader in the field of motor sports, and the Tacoma Dome relies upon Feld’s expertise and fully supports Feld’s unwavering commitment to safety,” he said.
The boy’s parents couldn’t be reached for comment, but their attorney, Brad Moore, said Thursday they’re disappointed the trucks are returning and don’t believe adequate measures will be in place to protect spectators.
Sebastian’s father, Jessie, reached a monetary settlement with Feld Entertainment, Inc., of Vienna, Va., in August, but the amount was not disclosed. A lawsuit was never filed in the death and there were no claims filed against the city in connection with the accident, city spokeswoman Karrie Spitzer said.
Family members and friends suggested perhaps nets could be installed to protect the public. The promoter says that’s impractical at a venue like the Dome.
The city’s contract with Feld Motor Sports for the 2010 shows requires the company to provide liability insurance and contains provisions protecting the city from claims.
Christine Moe, who watched in shock as Sebastian lay mortally injured and bleeding near her seats that night, “would never, ever attend another event like that after what happened,” she said Thursday afternoon.
“I think it’s a bad idea” the trucks are returning to the Tacoma Dome, she added.
Some fans complained immediately after the accident that the show wasn’t stopped while paramedics rendered aid and that the remaining shows went on over that weekend after the boy’s death.
Other fans labeled the accident a one-time fluke and said they were confident the promoters would look out for their safety.
Some 55,000 people attended the five shows in January, Henson said.
Steve Payne, Feld Entertainment spokesman, said the company has “played Tacoma” for years and that its shows “are very, very popular with fans.” He said he wasn’t aware whether there were any discussions about the 2010 shows occurring on the anniversary of Sebastian’s death.
“These tours are booked years in advance,” he said. “I don’t believe there will be any problems playing those dates.”
The new slate of shows wasn’t announced until days ago, and there was no specific ticket information on the Internet on Thursday, though Henson said tickets will go on sale to the general public Monday. They’ll sell for $10 and $20, he said.
Fans call the Dome daily asking when the monster trucks will return, Henson said.
Natural High, the monster truck involved in the accident, isn’t listed among performing machines this season on the Monster Jam Web site. The exact cause of the accident has never been pinpointed and is still being investigated, Easterly said.
The company does acknowledge that there were defective welds on the modified Chevy SSR’s drive line, he added.
Natural High’s wheels were spinning as the truck did “doughnuts” on the dirt field. The monster trucks – some weighing 9,000 pounds or more – drive over obstacles, pop wheelies and engage in competitions during the shows. Feld puts on dozens of the shows around the world every year.
Sebastian Hizey’s death is the only one in Monster Jam history, Payne said.
“We extend our sympathies to the family,” Easterly said. “We think about it every day,” he said of the accident.
Though serious accidents are rare at monster truck events, The Associated Press reported earlier this year that at least five people died and more than 40 were injured at monster truck shows from 1992 to 2007. Several companies produce the shows and thousands of such events are held each year.
Moore, the attorney for Sebastian’s family, said he hopes the event producer has “done something” to address safety issues.
“Otherwise, they’ll just be exposing someone else to the tragedy that occurred this year,” he said.
Source: Monster trucks to return to Tacoma Dome
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