|
The truck, in which the boys were headed northbound on Pitkins Curve just south of Lucia after a surfing trip, plummeted more than 400 feet and landed on its roof. The California Highway Patrol is investigating and suspects excessive speed was a factor, according to public information officer Larry Starkey. There was no evidence of alcohol use. Autopsies will determine the official causes of death.
Damon Anderson, reached at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Thursday in the room of his son, 17-year-old Dane Anderson, read a statement on behalf of his son and the two other survivors, 15-year-old Kenny Schneider and 17-year-old Collin Cowsill, all of whom had been belted in the rear seat.
While he would not speculate what caused the crash, Anderson chronicled the wreck, according to a statement prepared by the boys and their families.
“The roof of the truck smashed in on the way down. Dane’s head was forced between his knees. Kenny came out of his belt part way down and was tossed around the cab. Collin’s belt broke; he was tossed about and ejected near the bottom,” he read. “The truck landed upside-down on a small beach at the bottom. Initially they were submerged in water. The water receded and Dane was able to unhook his seat belt and exit the right rear. He pulled Kenny out of the vehicle. A wave washed Kenny onto the shore, and then he was able to get up the beach.”
Cowsill lay immobile near the wrecked truck, and Anderson asked Schneider if he could climb up to the highway, but he didn’t think he could.
“Dane was in intense back pain — he had a lower thoracic spine fracture — but he thought he had to climb up to the highway as soon as possible to get help,” Anderson continued. “Kenny tried to help the two boys stuck in the front of the truck, but the truck was severely smashed and the door would not open. Kenny went to shore promising to return with help. He attempted to help Collin up, but Collin was unable to get up.”
Schneider then climbed to join Anderson, where they flagged down a Canadian couple. The man identified himself as a lifeguard and went down to help, while the woman “stayed with the boys, comforted them and helped to flag another car down.”
Soon Big Sur volunteer firefighters, Pacific Grove Ocean Rescue, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, CHP, Carmel Highlands firefighters and other emergency workers arrived.
They hoisted Cowsill up the hill, and all three boys went to Community Hospital. CHP officer Jim Covello reported they suffered abrasions and lacerations. Other than his son’s injuries, Anderson did not want to elaborate on the other boys’ conditions. “They are all recovering, and we’re thankful for their lives,” he said. “And we’re really sorry for the other two and their families.”
Crews worked through the night to recover the bodies of Robbins and Field, according to Monterey County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Ragan, and hours later, surfers, classmates, parents and others gathered for a poignant and fitting memorial at Carmel Beach Wednesday evening.
Caddie Matt Burmaster described the boys as “young, strong gentlemen,” who “gave surfing a good name,” and were “sharp, attentive, genuine and passionate about life. Sadly, it’s been taken away.”
Bart Keagy, also a caddie, met the boys surfing at Carmel Beach six years ago and grew to admire their skills on the waves and their demeanors everywhere. He said Field had just received his passport Tuesday and planned to take a surfing trip to Cabo San Lucas with Anderson. A photographer, Keagy shot photos and videos of the boys for their families and to help them procure sponsorships in their sport.
“The thing I think about with Ryan and Alex is they were fun-loving kids who enjoyed life, and I’m going to miss them a lot,” he said. “I almost felt like they were my own kids. I was proud to know them, because they were just good kids, surfed well and were respectful.”
And their loss serves as a reminder to survivors and other young drivers to slow down.
“I’m a parent, too. I’ve got a young boy, and he’s not anywhere near old enough to drive yet,” Keagy, 45, continued. “People need to be warned about how dangerous roads are around here. Slow down, and get there.”
That’s a message Starkey and his CHP colleagues constantly try to send to teenagers, including during a handful of recent driver safety courses at Carmel High. Kids have recently died in car wrecks in Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley and on Highway 1.
According to a state law that took effect Jan. 1, drivers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or someone else 25 years or older when transporting passengers under 20 years of age at any time for the first 12 months. While the department is unlikely to take any action against his family, the matter could end up in civil court, Starkey said. “Ultimately, he’s a juvenile, so the parents are responsible for his actions up until he’s 18, regardless of what they knew or didn’t know.”
|
