25/2/2003: This is the Fahud to Nizwa road just 35 km from the Nahada police station.
Essar 4WD Mitshubish Pajero was traveling from Lekhwair to Muscat.
Driver and passenger.
Vehicle equipped with a dual speed speedlimitor set at 80 km/hr for graded roads and open ended (no limit) for blacktop roads. This is as per SP-2000 specifications for Contractor coastal based vehicles.
14/3/2003:This is the Haima to Qarn Alam government blacktop road. 125 km from Haima. MBPS 4WD Pick-up was traveling from Nimr to Saih Rawl. Driver alone. Vehicle equipped with a single speed speed limiter set at 80 km/hr
25/2/2003:
The Left rear tyre of the Pajero lost its thread completely and then blew. The vehicle was going at an estimated speed of 120-140 km hr (possibly higher). The tyre was 1.5 yrs old, had done about 50,000 km and seemed visibly in good condition. The tyre pressure was probably NOT checked. Tyre being investigated by Manufacturer (Yokohama).
14/3/2003:
The right hand side rear tyre punctured/deflated. Driver tried to pull of the road but lost control, shot to the left and flipped.
25/2/2003:
The vehicle first pulled left followed immediately by a pull to the right. It rolled 5 times over a total distance of more than 100 meters. It made jumps of more than 22 meters. Damage was substantial. Roll bar front loop was severely bend. The rear loop punched through the chassis on one side.
14/3/2003:
The vehicle flipped on its side (90 degree roll). Minor damage to body work. Unrestrained load fell out as can be seen on the picture.
25/2/2003:Guy Broughton, the driver, died on the scene of the accident.His son William was severely injured. He was moved to Nizwa hospital and later transferred to Khoula Hospital in critical condition. 3 weeks after the incident his condition improved and his life is no longer in danger. It is not yet clear what the long term effects will be.
Both were wearing their seatbelt, but, there are limits to what even a seatbelt can do.
Especially roll-overs deadly accidents. The forces on the head and body are enormous and often kill. The chance of dying in a rollover is 10 times higher than in a frontal crash.
14/3/2003:No injury to the driver who was wearing his seatbelt. Vehicle was upended and driven to ROP station in Qarn Alam under escort.
Without moving to the next slide discuss within the team what the differences are between these 2 RTA’s.
Differences:
Road: none
Vehicle: none (both High Centre of Gravity 4 WD)
Tyre blew (rear tyres) on both
Speed: MAJOR difference.
Outcome: 1 dead-1 injured in one case. Minor damage – No injury in the other
Really make this point!!!
Ask if anyone else has examples/experience of cases where speed was a major problem.
It is likely that many have examples.