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4 Dead in Ft. Worth Water Gardens Accident

kn825
Manteno_Montenegro

Sad. And now families will sue becuase of the stupidity of those who died. They will sue because there wasn't an attendant to watch over people, to be reduntant to the No Swimming signs. They will sue the hotel for their pool being closed.

Jun 17, 04 2:13 pm  · 
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Manteno_Montenegro

I'm not trying to downplay anything...it's terrible that anyone loses their life doing anything. I'm just talking about the aftermath that will definatly end up in court.

Jun 17, 04 2:14 pm  · 
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kn825

I agree, but I'm somewhat torn. It is kind of a death-trap.

http://www.fortworth.com/01visitors/0104parksgard/010405watergardens/010405watergardens.shtml

Jun 17, 04 2:19 pm  · 
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Crumpets

It look kinda like the sarlaac pit...

Jun 17, 04 2:47 pm  · 
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PostDepot

that is one mean plywood topo model. talking about safety and welfare of the public...

Jun 17, 04 3:12 pm  · 
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melvin

that place is a death trap. I remember being young and scared shitless cause to get down to the bottom, you're walking on giant stone blocks, covered in water, with about 10" gaps between each. Plus the height change on each is like a foot or more. It's a cool place, but I think the water gardens are a good example of an architect/designer ignoring common sense a little too much.

it would be sad if they got sued and lost, cause the city is who ultimately needs to be held responsible for permitting it to be constructed.

I'm surprised more people haven't been killed there, from fallilng, etc.

Jun 17, 04 3:19 pm  · 
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duke19_98

I've been there several times, and quite frankly am surprised this was the first incident. I was amazed that the city allowed what amounts to a giant drain with no railings or safety measures of any kind. I hate dealing with all the B S Codes, but thing was a bit dangerous.

Jun 17, 04 3:25 pm  · 
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Manteno_Montenegro

I went there alot while growing up in the DFW area. We had to go there in arch school at UTA and handwrite a postcard talking about the place. Horrible class.

Jun 17, 04 3:30 pm  · 
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kn825

Yeah, as much bitching as people do about codes, they're there for a reason.

Jun 17, 04 3:32 pm  · 
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duke19_98

So, I'm sure they are going to have to do something to prevent this from happening again. Putting some type of railing system is out of the question. What other possibilities do you think there are?

I was thinking some sort of steel grating a foot or so below the water line in the drain pit. That way, if someone fell in they wouldn't drown. But on second thought they'd probably crack their skull on the steel.

Jun 17, 04 4:10 pm  · 
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mdler

same concept as wtc memorial

Jun 17, 04 5:46 pm  · 
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Manteno_Montenegro

with a grate they would just be sucked into a prone position and stuck like that!

Jun 17, 04 5:53 pm  · 
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Manteno_Montenegro


NBC5's Don Lemon reported on a tragedy in Texas Wednesday in which four Chicagoans drowned.




A 35-year-old man and four children were pulled underwater at a Fort Worth fountain where they had apparently gone to cool off in the Texas heat.

Fort Worth Fire Lt. Kent Worley said the four were visiting Texas with a church group from Chicago.

Each was pulled from a pool at the Fort Worth Water Gardens across from the downtown Convention Center.

Officials believe that one of the young girls jumped or fell into the fountain and the others went in to try to save her.

Witnesses said the victims were wading in the decorative fountain when they were pulled underwater by a suction device.

"When they went down, I mean, it was like the water was just coming off the waterfalls, going down and down, and I had to tell my daughter to get out because there wasn't [anything] else we could do," witness Stephanie Johnson said.

Johnson said she saw the man dive down three or four times in his rescue efforts before he disappeared underwater.



Fort Worth resident Carlton Calitre was in shock, and vowed to never again visit the Water Gardens he frequented as a youth.

Jun 17, 04 6:19 pm  · 
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kyll

a mesh net- galv. steel airplane wire about 3' below surface of wire throughout entire area. make it so that it could withstand 5 adult males damnit. bolt that mesh with attachments that are 8" deep into the walls.

wonder what philip johnson has to say about this....

Jun 18, 04 2:54 pm  · 
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brocker1966

I live in Ft Worth and for one, the stone blocks are NOT covered in water. This incident was the only one that has happened since it was built in 76 (I believe). It was an accident waiting to happen, but the place is far from a death trap. The steel grate is an excellent idea because near the surface, the suction isnt very great. It wouldnt suck you to the grate and drown you. Just my thoughts

Jun 22, 04 12:14 am  · 
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