Five children killed in SUV crash in East Texas

[Poll_Blind]

Source: Associated Press

Investigators say two boys and three girls died when the overloaded SUV they were traveling in crashed in East Texas.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Jean Dark says five other children and two adults were hurt in the rollover Monday near Van, about 70 miles east of Dallas. No other vehicles were involved.

Dark says the GMC Envoy was carrying too many passengers. She says the SUV did not have child safety seats and that nine of the children were ejected from the vehicle.

--snip--

A sport utility vehicle taking 10 children to a water park veered out of control and overturned on an East Texas highway Monday afternoon, killing five youngsters and injuring the other seven occupants.

Read more: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/08/21/2193923/five-children-killed-in-suv-crash.html

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More at the link! I've read too many stories like this: Children/adults ejected from a rolling SUV/truck. I know it happens with other vehicles but for some reason with the SUVs/trucks I see this a lot. The last story of this type I read involved an overloaded truck, and also in Texas, IIRC.

A huge tragedy. I can't even imagine that kind of loss. A two year old, a three year old, a six year old, a seven year old and a 13 year old.

PB

[We are Devo]

1. I've noticed this too, lately, SUVs rolling...

We had two in the last couple weeks here in Pasadena, CA. Children involved and killed in both...so sad.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. My 5yr old cousin Troy died that way 35 years ago

ejected out the back window of a bronco. Ever since my large extended family has been FANATIC about seat belts. My own boys can attest to that. The car doesn't get cranked on till everyone is buckled in properly.
Losing one was so hard, I can't imagine the pain of losing 5

Deepest condolences to the families.

[cyberswede]

3. Horrible...

[jsr]

4. NINE of the children were ejected from the vehicle.

Truly horrific.

[Fumesucker]

5. High center of gravity..

It's just a lot easier to roll a tall vehicle than one that's lower to the ground, most sedans will slide when pushed to the limit while the SUV will roll over, particularly if you swerve in one direction and then quickly in the other.

[slackmaster]

6. They're certainly not appropriate for inexperienced drivers

Not having more passengers than sets of seat belts helps too.

[Fumesucker]

8. One of my daughter's friends rolled a big SUV about four or five times..

They all walked away because everyone was securely strapped in, that included at least a couple of kids.

It often seems that the worst drivers are those who like SUVs the most, they make bad drivers feel more secure because of the size.

[Lars39]

7. Whole trip sounds doomed

Two adults taking that many kids to a water park?
Those poor kids.
And a huge hug to those working the accident.

[Auntie Bush]

9. This is so tragic...and to think some of those children might have lived if they used seatbelts.

I wonder how many of the children belonged to the adults? I just can't imagine the horror of losing several children.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

10. Many horrific car crashes involve too many passengers.

Overloaded cars, vans or trucks, poorly maintained and driven by people who cannot afford a vehicle big enough to transport a large number of people.

Very sad.