Black Duck Valley ramps closed by order of the coroners inquest
Posted on May 2, 2008
Filed Under Motorcycle parks |
After three deaths and 285 injuries in recent times, Black Duck Valley motorcycle park will remain open after the state coroner findings noted it as “unreasonably dangerous”
Black Duck Valley ramps are closed by order of the coroners inquest, Track three has been closed as well as the 100ft table top.
The coroner felt so strongly about the dangers of riding at the park that he felt it should be compared with other banned or heavily regulated high-risk sports, such as cage-fighting, duelling, base-jumping and boxing.
It is alleged that black duck valley does not engage in any form of risk management apart from requiring visitors to accept full responsibility and liability and waive any responsibility from the park owners, use the park at their own risk.
However if you attend the park you will be given a map which indicates the skill level required for each track.
Toowoomba hospital started collecting statistics on the number of trauma cases from the park and found that between June 2005 and April this year 285 patients had required treatment and some injuries were life-threatening. The Gatton ambulance station rosters on extra weekend staff to “meet the demand” from the park
The state coroner, Mr Barnes found flaws in the management of the park in that they did not check the riders competency and skill before allowing entry, incorrect signage was displayed on dangerous tracks, park maintenance was irregular and that sufficient instructions were not provided for riders to determine the risk factors involved.
I was at black duck valley on the Anzac day long weekend and was surprised at the number of choppers and ambulances frequenting the park to remove injured riders out of the park. One thing that you need to remember though is that everyone who participates in extreme sports knows what they are doing is dangerous! Nobody likes to hear about deaths and injuries but everyone knows only too well that there are inherent risks involved with any form of motor sport.
I returned to motocross riding just over 12 months ago after racing junior motocross over 20 years ago on a KX60 and RM80. The bike I ended up with after all this time had passed was a KX250 2 stroke.
Were did I go for my first ride?
Black duck valley!
Did I attempt the jumps on track 3?
No way!
Why?
Because they are way beyond my ability.
It would probably be a good idea to monitor activities at the park more frequently as there are people who attend the park with little regard for the safety of others. I would imagine if the tracks at the park were aligned with Motorcycling Australia (MA) track regulations and mandatory training and licensing was brought in it may help a little.
Dirt bike riding is becoming more of a family activity and parks like Black duck Valley are a step in the right direction.
No one can make decisions for you, you are responsible for your actions.
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