Comments on: Yamaha Rhino ATV Accident Claims Two More Lives

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:49:48 +0000

Were seat belts used?
Was a helmet used?
What kind of training were the operator and passenger given?
The sticker in the center of the dash board clearly states that the vehicle should not be operated on paved surfaces. It also states that a helmet must be used at all times during operation. Were these practices followed? What was the speed of the Rhino when the accident occurred? I have a Rhino-have operated it many different ways-and I have ridden hundreds of them as part of my job. They are a safe machine if they are used responsibly. And responsibly means don’t get crazy on it. If you bought your inexperienced kid a Corvette and it had 650 HP and goes over 200 mph, and say your child was hurt or someone else was hurt, is it the Corvette’s fault? No…when someone purcases an ATV or SXS FOR their child who is under the age of 16, they take the responsibility into their own hands. And unfortunately, inexperienced operators lack the skills to react to a situation. Another thing-if the operator of the unit is under the age of 16, that can & will be used against them in court as well-the sticker on the dash board (right in the middle) clearly states that operators of any Rhino should be 16 or older and have a valid vehicle operator’s license.

It’s an unfortunate situation no doubt. But in all my experience of using the Rhino, it’s definitely not the entire fault of the Rhino. Did the rhino steer itself into the situation? Doubtful because the operator is in control of the Rhino at all times. Is it the fault of the parents? Not in my opinion. It is the fault of the operator as ONLY the operator has control of the Rhino-not Yamaha, not a parent standing there watching it, and not any of us sitting behind a computer screen saying well they shoulda done this or that.

By: Marty

Marty — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:20:58 +0000

Was the vehicle equipped with seat belts? Were they used?
Was either person involved wearing a helmet?
Where were the parents?
What training did the driver or passenger have?
The Rhino is an Off Road vehicle! Why were they on pavement?
I can’t say the Rhino has it for sure but I think it does. Isn’t there an age limit placard on the Rhino. I think there is and it states a driver/occupant should be over the girls ages at the time. Please feel to correct me if I’m wrong.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:45:01 +0000

well i put it like this, i have 2 boy’s myself and i do consider myself a very protective parent but for your information they have as well had accidents on BICYCLES and broke bones and as we all know bikes DO NOT HAVE SEAT BELTS….i had a cousin killed on a bike, and by no means was it any type of neglegence on his parents. i believe by NO MEANS you are the perfect parent, if so then you should write a book to let all of us dumb a** parents how we are suppose to be that perfect parent. i think you are pathetic for writing such junk, after 2 sets of parents just lost there 2 babies. before you judge someone else and what YOU MIGHT THINK IS THERE IGNORANCE you may need to look at your own self and see what mistakes you have made in your life….i believe if the 2 girls parents would have woke up that morning and knew what was going to happen things would have been different. but as i said I HAVE NEVER NOT EVER SEEN A PERFECT PARENT. only judge when you know what you are talking about. you sound like a very angry person to write such a thing about parents that have lost children that is as low down as you possibly can get. hopefully you will never make mistakes like all of us other parents.

By: natalee

natalee — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:02:02 +0000

i went to school w/emily and i wish she could have fulfilled her dreams the become a model, but i guess in her own way she was a model on myspace. “i wish to she you some day emily!!!!!!!”

By: becca warner and haley mckee

becca warner and haley mckee — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:45:37 +0000

i dont think its right to blame this on the parents of those two girls. emily ann bates was mine and my sisters friend.she was very close to my sister.there is no need in the world to acusse this accident on the fault of their parents for not watching them.this accendent coould have happend to anyone. and if it was your kids you wouldnt want people blamming the incedent on you. anything could have happend.and honestly this is coming from a four-teen year old and thirteen year old. and we do not appreciate ya’ll blamin it on the parents.ya’ll dont know the parents of these two beautiful young girls, and until you do dont assume or blame anything upon them. thank you very much!!!

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:35:03 +0000

What the hell were two 11 year old girls doing on a Rhino by themselves. Why not put two kids in a car that will travel up to 50mph and see what happens.

Where were the parents? Do honestly think this is due to the error of the UTV? Did they have seat belts on? If not, why not? Don’t you think if they were wearing seat belts this might not have happened?

This is just as stupid as suing the gun manufacture because someone got shot. Well last time I checked, I never seen a gun jump up, point it’s self at someone, then pull the trigger.

Also, this is like the parents that bitch about the things that are on TV, well don’t buy a damn TV!

I think the total fault here is with the parents for putting two young girls on a machine with so much power, not the manufacturer.