PUSH THE THROTTLE Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs...D=2004411020358 Witnesses say an Ames motorcyclist killed at a weekend competition at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines was not wearing a chest protector that a medical examiner said might have saved his life. Brandon Olsen, 20, of Ames died Sunday after he lost control of his cycle in an arenacross race, an indoor race on a specially designed dirt track. Daniel Kiefer, who owns a Web site that promotes Iowa motocross and arena- cross racers, was taking photographs of Sunday's action and witnessed the accident from about 30 feet away. Kiefer said Olsen was in a qualifying heat when he lost control of his cycle on an obstacle section of the course. His chest struck the handlebars, Kiefer said. Olsen did not appear to be wearing a chest protector, Kiefer said. He said most racers wear the devices. Polk County Medical Examiner Gregory Schmunk said Olsen died of a lacerated aorta caused by the impact to his chest. A chest protector might have prevented the fatality, he said. "From what I understand, they are fairly rigid plastic and are designed to protect from a direct impact to the chest," Schmunk said. "And he died as a result of such a chest injury." Rico Hawkes, the director of risk and safety for event organizer Clear Channel Entertainment, said chest protectors are not required equipment. Several thousand people attended the three-day National Arenacross Series event at the auditorium. Professional racers competed Friday and Saturday. Amateurs raced Sunday. Nearly 1,000 were in the stands to witness Olsen's accident, Kiefer said. "I don't feel that anybody at the time understood what was happening," he said. "We see a lot of accidents. A lot of kids go off on the stretcher, and 90 percent of them are OK." Officials of Global Spectrum, the company hired by Polk County to manage the Iowa Events Center, will investigate what happened. Employees of Clear Channel Entertainment and the county's risk management office will be involved. An investigation is routine following a work-related or event-related death, officials said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 i know i should, but i dont wear one while im on my quad. but if i had a dirtbike i had intended to race that go in my truck before my boots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sredish Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I got my Thor after my accident and have gotten used to always wearing it. I don't get on my machine without it on, unless I'm just screwing around at my house, but I should have it on then also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebelbanshee2 Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 i feel naked without mine...chest protector, boots, helmet, gloves, goggles and long pants...wont ride without em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PUSH THE THROTTLE Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I've never owned a chest protector or riding boots just Caterpillar Steel Toes, I don't race but I do a whole lot of stupid stuff. I think it's time to make my Christmas wish list. I'm thinking Tech 8's what kind of chest protector though, any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stclark04 Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I used to not wear one. Till the day I was hitting a 50 foot table top and the front end dropped and I went over the handle bars and the banshee rolled over me. My back was all fucked up. If I would have been wearing one it wouldnt have been so bad. I always wear mine now. As pointless as they seem, just little pieces of plastic, they soak up alot of the impact. Its suprising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.J. Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I always wear mine, I couldn't take my buddy's KX500 roost any other way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton eyed Joe Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 I've thought about getting one. Don't know what brand yet, but after my spill, I seriously thought I broke my sternum, but it turns out, I just knocked the wind out of me and my chest did appear collapsed, but it inflated again once I dug myself out of the sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRed350x Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 I flipped my 350x going about 40mph and went over the bars onto a rock pile, and the quad flipped over behind me and the rear grab bar hit me in the small of my back. Broke a couple bones and cracked two vertibre. My chest protector saved me from having broken ribs & fucked up front side when I hit the rock pile. I always wear mine, has saved me many times. I also ride with guys on dirt bikes a lot and its a necessity with their roost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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