Flatbedder gets fatally smushed by his steel load at a stop light in NJ.

The requirement for a headache rack was repealed some time ago.

 

Did not know that. Then let me rephrase my statement to "I would hope the trailer had a headache rack as you should not flatbed without either a cab or trailer headache rack."

I'm sure the attorney of the family of the driver will be asking why the hell that requirement is not in place at some level somewhere along the line.

 

Just thinking about what happened to that driver is Horrible enough. I'm glad i'm not a First Responder.

 

It is not that the steel folded, I bet the load shifted in the bundle, this is a very common occurrence when you are hauling multiple sizes of steel as he was. As the truck moves the pieces will settle into place and move around, thus is why belly wrapping a steel load like that is a good thing and why it should have had straps through the first tier.

With as much as that load weighed, I doubt a headache rack would have done much good, a head board on the trailer might have because it would have caught the impact before it had a lot of time to pick up speed, but regardless, the load should have been secured in a way that stopped all forward movement, and it was not.

 

Maybe its just me but isn't the trailer pushed way forward as if the king pin broke or the fifth wheel broke, or is my eyes playing tricks on me, cause from what I see the front of the trailer is only inches from the sleeper, which would also give more power to the beam. Just a thought, my prayers go out to all involved.

 

Hard to see, but looks like the exterior pieces of metal never hit the cab. Looks like the inner pieces slid out. Could have been chain wrapped around both ends and strapped or chained over the top for the rest. 8 4X4s chained together as bulkhead is a good idea with slick metal bundled together.

If you are one to cuss at me in heavy traffic for driving very slow, slowing down before intersections with green lights, slowing down near merge areas, and just putting along like Grandma -- this is why. I'm probably loaded with oiled bar stock or a coil, and am as nervous as a squirrel looking out for too many 4 wheelers that shouldn't be driving.

RIP driver. Sympathies to your family and friends.

 

Seeing things like this and other stories about how dangerous flatbedding can be, makes me worry about my bf. I can only pray that he properly secures his loads each and every time. Of course him showing me a picture of a truck that had a coil go through the cab didn't help.

RIP driver and prayers not only for his family but anyone who was involved. Also for all of you drivers for safe travels.

 

I know we are all going to leave this world sometime but this is just horrible...

 

Its normal to worry but there are people that are alive and well have hauled open deck most of their careers.
As long as he tries not to take any shortcuts he should be ok.

 

it's. Just you, the trailer is still where it's supposed to be.