Sad Day at the US Naval Academy

[daepp]

A Firstie Mid (Senior) at USNA, three months from graduating and heading to Jet School, was found dead in the water next to the school library. His SUV was in the water - perhaps since Friday. The car was spotted Monday - his body was recovered Tuesday. He most likely veered out of his lane and went through a minimal chain barrier.

I cannot imagine the grief of the parents. It is a huge loss to the Brigade of Midshipmen - and such a sad end to great young man.

Being a gearhead, I can't help but wonder how a guy so schooled in all-things-water couldn't get out of that car - assuming he wanted to, and I have zero reason to believe otherwise. If the car had electric windows, will they work when wet? Is it true you cannot open a door in the water if the window is closed?

Perhaps you could consider saying a prayer for Max Allen and his family.

Investigation Underway: Midshipman Found Dead at Naval Academy | TheBlaze.com

[Baz]

That sucks! Prayers sent Dave. R.I.P. Max.

[BRPORSCHE]

Not being heartless...

Medical condition? Stroke? All sorts of things that could make you swerve instantly.

RIP sailor.

[Rikao4]

sad...

airbags go off,seat belt is on & probably disoriented as well..
and it's no longer simple..
while it looks easy on TV and movies...
it's not...
and you better get it right on your first shot..

Hawk and others have done water-tank training...
you drop in , they roll the Helo..
little to no visibility...
so you blow bubbles to see which way is up...
and then hope you don't get snagged on all those lines getting out..
even in controlled conditions...
your heart is racing and you fear running out of air..
one gulp..your done..

Rika

[gordner]

Top Gear UK had an intersting show where Hammond carried out several underwater egresses. He knew he was going in the water and was prepped for it, and still failed to egress a couple of times.

It is essentially impossible to open a sealed car door underwater, the pressure over that area is immense. So it is true your best bet is window egress or letting the car fill to the point that the door will open.

Very sad, my thoughts to the familly certainly.

[sammyg2]

My respects go out to that young man and his family. In a way this story hits home.


Many years ago, my older brother's best friend was accepted to Annapolis. He worked his butt off to get in there, it was a life long dream for him. This guy had never drank, smoked, swore, or did anything else he shouldn't. He made an eagle scout look like a slouch.
He was around the house all the time and was kind of an honorary brother to me.

Once he got to Annapolis he shined, top of his class. This is the kinda guy that could eventually move way up.

Part way through his senior year a drunk driver took him out and he was busted up really bad. Broken hip, pelvis, femur. Some minor brain damage to motor skills, talked with a bit of a slur but would eventually work through that.
He would mostly recover but it was obvious he would never be able to pass the navy physical. He'd need a cane to walk and that was after years of rehab.

So the Navy kicked him out of school, good by, see ya. Pay yer own medical bills after yer discharged. Rehab? It's on you. Nothing. They would not even pay the air fare to fly him back to California after he was discharged from the hospital.

The most cold-hearted thing I had ever seen.
For a long, long time my attitude was that the navy didn't deserve such fine men like him and that all the navy brass could go to hell for all I was concerned.
If my son decided to go that route I'd try to talk him out of it.

[gatotom]

Prayers go out to the Max Allen Family, a sad day indeed.

Know that corner by the library very well and have always thought it wouldn't take nothing to end in the water, probably scary on freezing rain days or nights. This yr has been a winter back there.

sammyg2, don't even get me started on how the navy stuck it too my son, who graduated from USNA in 2010. Thankfully, he has moved on and now has a wonderful job at John Hopkins.

The academy was a wonderful experience for us as parents and I believe for the most part for my son.

daepp, I hope you are enjoying your daughters time there and that you get back for the wonderful concerts in October and December and enjoyed plebe summer activities, the bed and breakfast places in Annapolis are a joy.

Now that the cutbacks have effected the Blue Angel's, I hope that the academy didn't stop the superb show during graduation week.

[daepp]

Some affects felt from the sequestration - canceled the Blue Angels for graduation but I think they're back up now. Daughter loves it there - wants to serve - probably just like this young man did. If money is an issue, I really don;t think it would be any problem at all to raise the funds privately to fix that problem!

[Nickshu]

Very sad to hear that. RIP.

[weseeeee]

Very sad. His poor parents must be devastated!

[WPOZZZ]

Prayers and condolences to the boy's family. My nephew is a Firstie along with another high school classmate.

[Tishabet]

As mentioned by earlier posters egress from a car that goes into the water is no joke even in a training scenario, this is why I recently bought an egress tool for our family car... basically a small hammer which will powder a window and allow you to escape. Trying to open a door is impossible until the vehicle is nearly full of water and in the meantime you are panicking and breathing from an ever smaller air pocket. It is relatively easy to end up with your vehicle in the water, and escaping the vehicle ist he difference between life and death. I would encourage all of you to buy a tool and discuss its use with your family (tap a window and NOT the windshield) and I hope nobody ever needs to use this knowledge.

[VincentVega]

Very sad indeed. Most creeks and rivers in the area have been frozen for weeks, very difficult situation for even the strongest.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

As mentioned by earlier posters egress from a car that goes into the water is no joke even in a training scenario, this is why I recently bought an egress tool for our family car... basically a small hammer which will powder a window and allow you to escape. Trying to open a door is impossible until the vehicle is nearly full of water and in the meantime you are panicking and breathing from an ever smaller air pocket. It is relatively easy to end up with your vehicle in the water, and escaping the vehicle ist he difference between life and death. I would encourage all of you to buy a tool and discuss its use with your family (tap a window and NOT the windshield) and I hope nobody ever needs to use this knowledge.

That tool like anything else loose in a vehicle will fly in a wreck. Should be affixed with a hook / loop Velcro to something like a door grab or other that hopefully won't bust off. Regardless, its a crap shoot and so much goes wrong.

Regarding the OP, very sorry situation.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

That tool like anything else loose in a vehicle will fly in a wreck. Should be affixed with a hook / loop Velcro to something like a door grab or other that hopefully won't bust off. Regardless, its a crap shoot and so much goes wrong.

Regarding the OP, very sorry situation.

The one I bought comes with a holster which you mount to an inside surface with sheet metal screws. Could still come loose in a sufficiently violent crash. Made by a dutch company, available on amazon for about $14.

[Lapkritis]

Our dock at our lake house has been dislodged on occasion during strong storms. A portion broke free last year and was under about 10ft of water. I recovered it from the bottom of the lake and learned a bit. The weight of water against a flat surface is more than one might expect... not only if you're lifting against it(duh) but also when rotating a flat surface perpendicular to gravity. A car door from a seated position would be no cake walk.