MEC&F Expert Engineers : 07/05/16

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

A passenger was killed in Macedon Saturday after a large BBQ grill became loose from a camper and crashed into the victim's car



By WHAM Saturday, July 2nd 2016




A passenger was killed in Macedon Saturday after a large BBQ grill became loose from a camper and crashed into the victim's car. The driver was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.


UPDATE: Macedon police have released new information in connection with a fatal crash involving a BBQ grill over the weekend.

According to police, the grill was attached to a camper driven by Jason Mark of Farmington. They said the support beam connecting the smoker to the motor home broke, causing the grill to break free.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and it is not yet clear whether any charges are pending.

Original Article:

Macedon, N.Y. - Macedon police are investigating a fatal crash on Route 31 after a large BBQ grill got loose from a camper and slammed into a car, killing the passenger.

The accident took place around 5:15 p.m. Saturday on Route 31 near the Palmyra border.

Crews closed Route 31 from Creek Road to Yellow Mill Road for accident reconstruction.

Chief John Colella said the grill became wobbly after the camper, while going eastbound, hit a bump near a bridge. It swerved and went airborne after hitting a second bump, before becoming loose from the tow hitch and hitting a car heading westbound.

The driver of the car, Jared Jones, was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital via Mercy Flight. He has since been released.

Police say the driver of the camper is cooperating with investigators. It's unclear if charges or tickets will be issued.

According to the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District, Seth Krebbeks, the passenger in the car, died following the crash.

Krebbeks has been identified as a 2015 Pal-Mac graduate and Jones as a student. As they laid candles and flowers at the scene, Krebbeks' friends say he was loved by everyone in the community.

"Out of everyone I know, he was the last one that deserved to die," said Seth's best friend, John Javorowsky. "He was such a good kid."

"The idea that I'm never going to see him again, its unbelievable," friend Kristy Tuncap said.

The school expressed their sympathies to Krebbeks' family, Jones and his family.

Counselors will be available at the Pal-Mac High School Tuesday through Friday.

Police say the preliminary investigation indicates the tow hitch was applied to the camper properly. No arrests or tickets against the driver have been issued.

17 traffic fatalities reported in AL and GA during Fourth of July weekend; up 15 percent from 2015






Traffic fatalities reported in AL and GA during Fourth of July weekend Tuesday, July 5th 2016, 3:28 pm EDTTuesday, July 5th 2016, 6:46 pm EDT
By WTVM Web Team


(WTVM) - Alabama State Troopers and Georgia State Patrol are investigating multiple traffic deaths during the extended Fourth of July weekend.

Alabama troopers are investigating eight traffic deaths, which was up from five fatalities during the 2015 holiday.

Georgia State Patrol reported nine deaths between 6 p.m. Friday until midnight on July 4. That number is down from the 10 roadway deaths during the same travel period last year.

During the 96-hour holiday traveling period, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) partnered with local law enforcement agencies to bolster traffic enforcement in an effort to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities.

In addition, ALEA participated in this season’s safety campaigns Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Operation Dry Water.

The fatal traffic crashes occurred in Butler, Calhoun, Cherokee, Hale, Jackson, Perry, Pickens and St. Clair counties.

Two vehicle drivers, two vehicle passengers, three motorcyclists and one motorcycle passenger were killed. Of the four killed in vehicles equipped with seat belts, only one was using a seat belt. All four individuals on motorcycles were wearing helmets.

During the previous year, the Fourth of July holiday travel period troopers investigated five fatalities on roadways and two boating fatalities.

Copyright 2016 WTVM. All rights reserved.

Charleston sanitation worker killed when a garbage truck backed into him in SC




JULY 5, 2016




CHARLESTON, SC

  South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the death of a Charleston sanitation worker who was killed near the corner of Francis and Oswego Streets Tuesday afternoon when a garbage truck backed into him.

According to authorities, witnesses said the victim was standing behind the truck, directing it backwards, when the driver, identified as longtime sanitation employee Janie Campbell, rolled over him. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lance Cpl. Matt Southern of S.C. Highway Patrol called the victim’s death an “unfortunate accident.”


“I don’t want to speculate since they’re still trying to figure it out themselves, but he may have made a wrong move to the left, a wrong move to the right,” Southern said. “The truck was moving three or four miles an hour — I don’t really know how fast it was going — but I think the driver lost sight of him for some reason.”

Authorities at the scene declined to identify the sanitation worker killed in Tuesday’s accident. Charleston County Deputy Coroner Sheila Williams said her office will release additional details about the victim’s identity after his family has been notified.

“Tonight the whole City of Charleston family is grieving the loss of a Charleston Public Service Department contract worker who died this afternoon in a tragic accident involving a city Public Service Department vehicle,” said Mayor John Tecklenburg in a statement. “For now, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by this terrible tragedy.”

Sanitation employees, including refuse and recyclable material collectors, have one of the country’s most dangerous professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 35.8 deaths per 100,000 workers — more than twice the fatality rate of police and sheriff’s patrol officers.



======================================================= City of Charleston worker killed in truck accident

By ksuraci  Updated: July 5, 2016, 9:07 pm

 

CHARLESTON, SC–A City of Charleston truck was involved in an accident this afternoon at the intersection of Francis St and Oswego St.

A worker from the truck was struck and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The identity of the decedent will be released tomorrow in order for the family to be notified.

The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Today, Charleston mayor John Tecklenburg released the following statement, following the tragic death of the worker.

“Tonight the whole City of Charleston family is grieving the loss of a Charleston Public Service Department contract worker who died this afternoon in a tragic accident involving a city Public Service Department vehicle. Few details are known at this time, but the South Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the investigation and the Charleston County coroner will have further details after the family has been notified. For now, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by this terrible tragedy.”

Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services. Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert Engineers


Construction Defects, Construction Claims, Engineering, Property & Casualty Investigations, Assessment, Site Investigation, Remediation, Litigation and Indoor-Air Expert Engineers

Bill Stephan, PhD, PE, CIH, CHMM, JD, MBA
Principal Engineer

P.O. Box 520
Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520
Phone: (973) 897-8162
Fax: (973) 810-0440



__________________________________________________



Firm Overview


The engineering and forensic firm of Metropolitan Forensics and Consulting Engineering and Environmental Services was established for the purpose of providing a high value service to the insurance industry and to the insured companies or individuals. Our founding principal (Bill Stephan) is a licensed professional engineer in several states, including, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.



We specialize in the in-situ remediation of petroleum and chlorinated spills, the defense of liability claims, the investigation and defense of first or third party insurance claims and the handling of subrogation claims.  We are also experts on oil and gas energy sector issues (design, investigations, construction oversight), renewable energy sector (wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels, etc), vapor intrusion evaluation, vapor phase and transport and in design on vapor mitigation systems.  Additionally, we offer forensic engineering services, including age-dating of contaminant releases, construction defects, oversight, evaluation of remedial alternatives, sub-slab ventilation system design and installation.  The list of our core services is:



  • Cause and Origin Investigations
  • Construction Failure Analysis (Residential, Industrial and Commercial)
  • Structural Integrity Evaluation
  • Site Investigation
  • Tank removals and tank installations; licensed and insured to perform entire UST work
  • In-Situ Remediation of Soil and Groundwater
  • Vapor intrusion, indoor air evaluation and mitigation
  • Causation
  • Forensic Investigations (age-dating)
  • Oversight
  • Review of Remedial Action Work Plans
  • Reserve Estimation
  • Cost Allocation
  • RAWP Preparation
  • Site Remediation
  • Cleanup Level Development and Negotiation
  • Subrogation
  • Expert Witness/Litigation Support
  • Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) Services
  • Construction Claims (Delay, Differing Site Conditions, Loss of Productivity, Acceleration, and others)

 






































Additional Specialty Service Areas

Age Dating
Boilers & Burners
Bridges
Building Codes
Building Inspections


Construction Accident
   Reconstruction
Construction Defects
Construction Delay Claims

Construction Surety Claims
Construction Disputes
Construction Differing Condition Claims
Construction Oversight
Construction Management
Construction Acceleration Claims

Construction Failures
Construction Injuries
Contractor Performance Issues
Corrosion


Defective Designs
Defective Roadway Design
   Evaluations


Earthquake
Electrical Accidents/Injuries
Electrical Equipment Failures
Electrical Fires
Elevators, Escalators
   & Conveyors
Embedded Software Hazards
   & Analysis
Equipment Failures
Errors and Omissions
Explosions

Failure Analysis
Fire
Fire Codes
Fire Protection Systems
Fire Suppression Systems

Flood Damage Assessment

Foundation Systems

Gas Systems

Hailstorm damage

Heating & Ventilation Systems
Heavy Construction
Highway/Roadway Design
Human Factors


Indoor Air Quality
Laboratory Services
Ladders, Scaffolding Falls
   & Failures
Lightning

Mechanical Defect Evaluations
Metallurgical Age Dating
Mold Causation
Natural Disasters/Weather
   Related Issues
Nuclear Energy
Occupational Hazards
   & Illness

Piping
Playground Equipment Injuries
Plumbing
Product Failures
Roofing Problems & Failures
Safety Codes
Safety & Human Factors
   Engineering
Scalding
Scene Mapping and Photographs
Sick Building Syndrome
Sports Equipment Injuries
Standardized Codes
Steam Systems
Subrogation Issues


Transportation Issues
Trips, Slips & Falls
Underground Storage Tanks
Utilities Expertise
Vibration
Water Damage
Windstorm



Mission Statement


Our mission is to work as an extension of our clients to expeditiously achieve the most economically favorable resolution of claims on their behalf and on behalf of their insured. We have developed and will continue to create new solutions to the technical problems and issues which are facing the insurance industry and the insureds today.  

Metropolitan provides forensic engineering work (age-dating or fingerprinting), site remediation, auditing, cost control and litigation support services to insurance carriers, their insureds and to private or public companies.  In its risk management role, examines, manages and audits environmental claims to ensure that assessment and remediation services provided to both carriers and policy holders are reasonable and necessary, properly rendered and appropriately charged. 



In its litigation support role, Metropolitan assists carriers and their counsel to ensure that litigious disputes are resolved fairly and reimbursement benefits are provided when appropriate.  The corporations service area includes the entire United States, with our corporate office located in Northern New Jersey.  The Firm's professional staff also travels regularly throughout the United States on assignment.


Forensics at Metropolitan


There are many issues associated with disputes over responsibility for cleanup. Who, what, when, where, and how chemicals were released can be investigated. The tools of forensic investigation include mathematical models, statistical models, fate and transport calculations, chromatography, lead isotope analyses, time of travel assessments, library search site characterization, tracer additives, and recently developed software applications.



Effective forensic project management should include an evaluation of multiple forensic tools based on site specific circumstances. The process of evaluation and the ultimate selection of the forensic tool are critical to a successful outcome. When project budgets allow, combining forensic methods for corroborative evidence can substantially strengthen your client’s position in an effort to prevent or support litigation. The effective forensic consultant must be well acquainted with an ever expanding list of analytical methods, environmental regulations, assessment procedures and remedial technologies.



The forensic field is one that utilizes a wide range of scientific tools to identify and characterize complex adverse environmental events. Some of the scientific disciplines involved in forensics include engineering principles (biological, physical and chemical), hydrology, lithology, geology, site history, site practices, mathematics, and statistics. These areas may be combined with technologies such as respiratory analyses, chromatography/mass spectrometry and chemical fingerprinting methods to answer complex questions with the ultimate goal of establishing responsibility for a particular event. Accurate, defensible forensic analyses are an essential component of any strategy that attempts to resolve the extent of the insurer or insured client responsibilities in the cleanup of contaminants.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic services.



Property Damage Services at Metropolitan

Metropolitan assists property owners, claims professionals, businesses, and attorneys in   the assessment of the cause & origin (C&O), extent of damage and required restoration after pipe bursts, settlements, manufacturing and construction failures, fire, flood, earthquake, or storm damage.  Our teams of engineers have extensive experience in the many systems that make up a building including structural, mechanical and electrical systems.   We also have the necessary background to evaluate property damage to items such as communications towers or solar panels. We can help determine alternative, appropriate, and cost effective solutions for repair or restoration of any damaged property, both commercial and residential. 

Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services.

Our experts are multi-skilled, competent, and objective professionals who apply their analytical and common sense skills to reconstruct, determine the root cause, and document the events that give rise to property, casualty, and liability claims.  Thorough investigations and detailed measurements/research help us distinguish between pre-existing conditions and sudden and accidental losses.



 






























Our investigations are:

·         Comprehensive & Accurate

·         Legible & Easy to Understand

·         Timely Performed

·         Delivered Quickly

·         Cost Effective

·         Clear & Concise

·         Developed by Professionals

·         Dependable

·         Our own uniform reporting system saves time and money.


Our Fast Track Investigation and Uniform Format Reporting systems allow us to conduct and deliver a comprehensive response to the assigned claim.  In most cases, we will obtain findings based on a site visit, visual observations, photographs, interviews, and field measurements.  Further investigations and testing will be provided upon request and approval by the client.



Forensic Investigation of Property Damage Claims

Metropolitan Consulting, Engineering & Forensics understands your need to complete a claim investigation accurately and efficiently as possible.  Whether it is accident reconstruction, damage due to environmental forces such as wind, water, hail, snow, tornado, etc.; fire origin & cause investigation or any other claim, the engineers at Metropolitan understand both you and your client want to resolve the claim.  The analysis you receive from Metropolitan will be accurate and complete, giving you the information needed in the claim adjustment and analysis.

Our services have extended beyond the forensic analysis phase into the remediation and repair phase of many large loss claims.  Upon the completion of the cause and origin (C&O) investigation, Metropolitan can provide our clients with complete working drawings and specifications needed to repair or rebuilt damaged buildings or other structures.  Metropolitan Consulting & Engineering’ staff possesses many-many years of experience in rehabilitation design, construction management, and project oversight to ensure the loss is restored in a timely and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality.  Building code knowledge allows us to identify possible code upgrades as needed.  Metropolitan understands constructability and realizes making an insured whole goes beyond forensic investigation and design. We pride ourselves in providing practical solutions contractors can understand and follow.

At the forefront of available technology, we provide professionals and staff capable of handling a variety of engineering evaluations.  Our reports are clear, concise, complete and efficiently produced.  Our engineering objectives are achieved in an ethical manner consistent with the traditions and character of engineering professionals.

Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our property damage services.


Extensive Experience helping Sureties

Metropolitan also has extensive experience helping sureties fulfill their bond obligations resolve disputes after a contractor has defaulted.  This work includes the evaluation of contractor bid pricing, evaluation of the contractor’s ability to perform work, risk assessment, evaluation of termination, construction completion services, claim and litigation support services, loss recovery services, evaluation of payment bond claims, negotiation and settlement of payment bond claims, and construction defects investigation services.  Metropolitan has provided these services for commercial, development, educational, and assisted living projects.


Construction is a business fraught with risk.  Disputes over even the smallest of issues can quickly escalate, with crippling consequences to the project and the parties.  Over the years, the construction industry has developed various methods of contractually allocating the risk of project delay and disruption.  Some of these methods include liquidated damages provisions, "no damages for delay" clauses, mutual waivers of consequential damages, provisions that limit liability, claims notice provisions, and provisions addressing responsibility for the adequacy of the construction plans and specifications.  Parties frequently litigate the sufficiency of these risk-shifting efforts in conjunction with the underlying merits of delay and disruption disputes.
Construction Claims & Disputes
The most frequently encountered claims include:
1.            Construction Delay Claims
2.            Disruption and Loss of Labor Productivity Claims
3.            Design and Construction Defect Claims
4.            Force Majeure Claims
5.            Acceleration or Compression of the Schedule Claims
6.            Suspension, Termination and Default Claims
7.            Differing Site Conditions Claims
8.            Change Order and Extra Work Claims
9.            Cost Overrun Claims
10.         Unacceptable Workmanship or Substituted Material Claims
11.         Non-payment Claims (stop notice (or Notice to Withhold) claims, mechanics’ lien (only for private construction projects) and payment bond claims)



Forensic Engineering Experience Case Studies


Metropolitan staff has developed and utilized scientific methods to assist clients in a variety of ways related to their claim issues. The following is a partial list of such projects:

  • Provided expert witness services for plaintiff seeking remediation of contaminated groundwater that caused indoor air inhalation problems;
  • Testified that engineering and scientific evidence was improperly collected and analyzed and was inadequate to show the age of the release;
  • Origin and cause of retaining wall failures.  
  • Lightning damage to structures or electrical systems and equipment
  • Roof failure or collapse as a result of accumulated load, additional weight and snow drift at hundreds of commercial and residential properties.
  • Demonstrated that solvents in groundwater at client's property originated from off-site dry-cleaner and that client's site actually provided remediation for the off-site release of dry cleaning solvent;
  • Expert witness for property owner impacted by industrial waste disposal from industrial manufacturer;
  • Demonstrated that environmental analysis by a previous consultant for a manufacturing site was inadequate; as a result, the lender's concerns were alleviated and financing proceeded;
  • Chemical "age-dating" and contaminant transport analyses of petroleum in groundwater at a gas station showed that contaminants originated from other parties;
  • Age-dated petroleum release at a former gas station to show that the previous owner of the gas station caused groundwater contamination;
  • Age-dated petroleum releases at an industrial facility to show that the on-site plume was the result of an off-site source;
  • Prepared age-dating reports for over one-hundred residential fuel oil spills;
  • Assisted insurance companies attorneys in defending subrogation claims; was able to demonstrate that the forensic data collected by the first party consultant were collected and analyzed using invalid methods;
  • Demonstrated that structural damage to a residence was from a source other than the alleged high lake level
  • Collected evidence (for the primary responsible party) that identified other responsible parties to share in the cost of a Superfund cleanup;
  • Review of the site data at a bulk petroleum facility indicated that the site releases were not the result of regular oil transfer operations and that they were caused by the negligent actions of the insured’s agents; the case was settled in favor of the insurance company;
  • Was able to demonstrate that the majority of the removal actions at petroleum release sites were neither reasonable nor necessary; as a result of our opinion, the insurance client settled the claim in favorable terms;
  • At several drycleaner sites we were able to demonstrate that the age of the release was much earlier than the parties originally believed; as a result, the insurance client settled the claim at a fraction of the alleged liability;
  • We performed numerous flood and wind damage assessments at commercial and residential properties.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic engineering services.




Site Remediation Services


 Characterizing and remediating contaminated sites involve some of the most complex and difficult issues for environmental lawyers and their clients. Problem areas include responding to regulators; negotiating enforcement settlements; negotiating or litigating cost allocation and recovery claims; working with the insured or insurer client, lawyers and regulators to develop efficient, cost-effective remediation approaches; and selling, buying, or developing contaminated properties.



Metropolitan staff has developed and applied an innovative approach to the use of sodium persulfate for the sequential in-situ treatment of subsurface contaminants through chemical oxidation followed by enhanced biological degradation through sulfate reduction. This approach has broad applicability to a wide range of contaminants, and shows strong cost-saving benefits through reducing the initial volume of chemical oxidant necessary and enhancing the in-situ biological degradation of contaminants.



Through proper subsurface geochemical characterization and chemical dosing design, the approach focuses on utilizing the oxidant for immediate mass reduction at the source area, followed by degradation or polishing of the residual contamination using sulfate reducing bacteria.  Depending upon the oxidant activation method, this approach is applicable to petroleum hydrocarbons including both volatiles and PAHs, chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) including chlorinated ethene, ethane and methane groups, as well as PCBs.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Site Remediation Services.





Vapor Intrusion and Indoor-Air Studies


Vapor intrusion has received increased attention over the last few years near contaminated sites because some contaminants have the potential to migrate into nearby buildings and negatively affect indoor air quality. The accumulation of these volatile vapors in buildings can result in significant safety and health concerns.
To properly evaluate vapor intrusion a thorough evaluation of the building's ventilation system and subsurface conditions needs to be conducted by a knowledgeable professional in accordance with state and federal established procedures. 
The evaluation process typically includes a thorough building chemical inventory, the advancement of soil gas probes and the collection of soil gas samples. When indoor air quality problems are identified they can normally be resolved through the modification/installation of a properly designed ventilation system.
Metropolitan is well experienced with U.S. EPA and State vapor intrusion investigation techniques. We have completed numerous vapor intrusion and indoor air quality studies at commercial and residential properties. We have the experience to identify and resolve indoor vapor intrusion problems and the practical know-how to resolve indoor quality issues in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Vapor Intrusion and Indoor Air Studies.




Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services.


Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert  Engineers

P.O. Box 520

Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520

Ph.: (973) 897-8162

Fax: (973) 810-0440



Contact: Dr. Bill N. Stephan, PhD, PE, JD, CIH, MBA, CHMM






Insurance claim examiners, insureds, insurers, insurance adjusters and risk managers use Metropolitan for determining cause, evaluating the extent of damage, determining the age of the release, separating unrelated damage, analyzing loss scopes and managing restoration data, determining costs to repair, restore or replace, and preparing for insurance appraisals.



Attorneys call on Metropolitan for help when preparing for Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution such as arbitration and mediation


3 people missing after downed 1964 Cessna 172F aircraft near Brookings, Oregon


Typical 1964 Cessna 172F planes like the one that crashed


Coast Guard searching for 3 after report of downed aircraft near Brookings, Ore.
Jul 5th, 2016

WARRENTON, Ore. — The Coast Guard is searching for three people after a report of a downed aircraft near Brookings, Oregon, early Tuesday morning.

Coast Guard Sector North Bend took over as search mission coordinator from the the Air Force Regional Communication Center early Tuesday afternoon after a backpack believed to belong to an occupant aboard the aircraft washed ashore near Lone Ranch Picnic Park, 4 miles north of the Brookings Airport.

A MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend, initially started its search over land between the Grants Pass and Brookings airports at 8 a.m., in support of the AFRCC. The crew was searching for any signs of a missing 1964 Cessna 172F, but no distress was found inland.

The Coast Guard currently has aircrews aboard a C-27J Spartan fixed-wing aircraft, from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, California, and a Dolphin helicopter on scene and searching the area. A boatcrew aboard a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Chetco River in Brookings is also searching. Personnel from the Civil Air Patrol and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office are also providing search assets and personnel.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who are involved as we conduct this search,” said Kevin St. Pierre, operations unit controller, at Sector North Bend. “We have established a reasonable search area and every available asset is in position to support our search efforts.”

The cause of the incident is unknown at this time and will be investigated.

Search crews currently have good search conditions consisting of clear skies with approximately 10 miles of visability. The air temperature is currently 66 degrees.

=======================================




Sheriff: Small plane missing, likely crashed in ocean north of Brookings
By News Staff Tuesday, July 5th 2016

The Civil Air Patrol took part in a search for a missing aircraft after the plane failed to arrive in Grants Pass on a flight from Brookings Tuesday morning. (CAP photo)


GRANTS PASS, Ore. - A search is on for a small plane with 3 people on board after it failed to arrive in Grants Pass Tuesday morning on a flight from Brookings.

The U.S. Coast Guard took over the search after a backpack and other items believed to belong to one of the people aboard the plane washed ashore near Lone Ranch Picnic Park, 4 miles north of the Brookings Airport on the Oregon Coast.

"It appeared the items had floated ashore indicating that the plane must have crashed into the ocean," Sheriff John Ward said in a press release.

The search started early Tuesday morning when Cheryl Belnap of Grants Pass Oregon called the FAA to report that her husband John Belnap, her 17-year-old son and another young male passenger had not arrived back in Grants Pass as expected, the sheriff said.

The plane left Brookings around 10:30 p.m. of 11 p.m. on July 4, the sheriff said. The last radar ping was within a few miles of the Brookings Airport, the sheriff said.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Air Station North Bend initially searched the land between Brookings and Grants Pass. No sign or signal from the 1964 Cessna 172F could be found, the Coast Guard said.


The Oregon Wing of the Civil Air Patrol provided two specially equipped Cessna C-182 search aircraft with three person crews plus base operations staff to assist.

At 11 a.m., two beachcombers contacted Brookings Police with a backpack and items they'd found on the shore.

"Curry County Sheriff's Search and Rescue members walked the coastline from Whaleshead State Park to Harris Beach State Park looking for any items or indications of a plane crash. SAR members did find several other items that are believed to have been from the plane," the sheriff said.


Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel and his SAR Coordinator, Deputy Cory Krauss, responded to Curry County to provide assistance as John Belnap is a Josephine County SAR member, Sheriff Ward said.


The Coast Guard currently has aircrews aboard a C-27J Spartan fixed-wing aircraft from Air Station Sacramento, California, and a Dolphin helicopter on scene and searching the area.

A boatcrew from Station Chetco River in Brookings is also searching.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who are involved as we conduct this search," said Kevin St. Pierre, operations unit controller, at Sector North Bend. "We have established a reasonable search area and every available asset is in position to support our search efforts."

Sheriff Ward echoed that sentiment.

"The Curry County Sheriff's Office expresses our deepest sympathies to the families, friends and communities of Grants Pass and Josephine County for the pain and sorrow they are going through. Our prayers are with them."

A home in Grahma, WA burned down after a teen unintentionally shot fireworks into their neighbor’s home


 



(Graham Fire & Rescue)

 


Teen's fireworks burn down neighbor's Washington home, investigators say



By Q13 Fox Seattle Published July 04, 2016  

 
Fireworks spark flames at a Pierce County, Washington home that has now left a family homeless. Investigators say it all started when a teen unintentionally shot fireworks into their neighbor’s home in Graham Saturday night, first starting on the side and the spreading into the attic.

“It rapidly spread, and when we got here, we had a pretty involved attic fire at the time,” said Graham Fire & Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Steve Richards.

Kathy Heller lived in the Graham home for 15 years. She walked us through it and showed us damage done to her kitchen and living room. She even got emotional as she explained she has nearly lost everything she owned.

“The pictures that I had of my husband who passed away-- all gone,” she said.


 



(Graham Fire & Rescue)

When Heller returned from dinner she saw firefighters blocking her street, but didn’t think they were at her home.

“At first I thought it was a neighbor’s house until I realized it was mine,” said Heller. “It was very scary and we had two dogs in the house but luckily our neighbors were able to kick the door in and get our dogs out.”

Graham firefighters say this could’ve easily been avoided, as with most fires and injuries related to fireworks.

“You don’t realize it until it happens to you how really dangerous it is,” said Heller.

2 barges catch fire after a malfunction during a Fourth of July fireworks celebration offshore in Plymouth, Mass.




Undetonated fireworks may wash ashore in Plymouth after barge fire
Fireworks shell exploded inside mortar tube
UPDATED 3:45 PM EDT Jul 05, 2016


PLYMOUTH, Mass. —Plymouth beachgoers are being cautioned after a malfunction caused a fireworks barge to catch fire during a Fourth of July fireworks celebration offshore.


According to witnesses at the scene, the Monday night show began, but witnesses started seeing random explosions on the barge about 15 minutes into the display.

The fire caused all the remaining shells to explode at once in all directions.

Fire officials said the preliminary investigation leads investigators to believe that the fire was caused when a fireworks shell exploded inside a mortar tube.

"Everything was going off really well, then all of a sudden, it all started going off all at once and you could tell something was wrong," a witness said.

"You could tell (the fireworks) were low ... and then you saw flashing lights out there," another witness said.

The barge fire lasted for about 10 minutes and spread to a second barge. The state fire marshal's office said investigators were at the scene to investigate the incident.

"These incidents underscore just how unpredictable fireworks are, even for trained professionals," State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said.

No injuries were reported.

The town said in a Facebook post Tuesday that the barge fire resulted in many firework shells not detonating, and people are warned to stay away from any fireworks that they find on the beach.

"Due to this unforeseen event, there will be a number of firework shells that will wash up on the shore at the beach, most likely Long Beach, although there could also be some at Nelson’s Park, Stephen’s Field and other shore locations," the town posted on Facebook.

The town said it is working to clean up the shells as quickly as possible.

"The town is making every effort to clean these up immediately. However, the tides could wash up more over the next few days," the town posted.

People are asked to call police or the fire department if they spot a firework shell on the beach.

"We are asking that residents and visitors do not touch these fireworks as they could be dangerous and could result in serious injury if they were to explode. Please call and report any sightings so that the town can properly remove and destroy them," the town posted.

Another, smaller fire broke out Monday on a fireworks barge in Salisbury. That fire was caused when a piece of trash left on the barge igniting.

The person who set off the Salisbury fireworks faces an administrative hearing for a fire code violation.

4 injured after speeding car crashed into a power pole, causing that pole to break in Gresham, Oregon







Crash at NE 183rd and Halsey Street in Gresham - Photo from KATU photojournalist Ric Peavyhouse


Downed power lines land on semi truck in Gresham crash
By KATU.com Staff Tuesday, July 5th 2016

 
GRESHAM, Ore. — Downed power lines trapped a semi driver inside the cab of a truck early Tuesday morning after a crash on Northeast 183rd Avenue, Gresham Police said.

The crash happened just before 3 a.m. at the intersection of Northeast 183rd and Halsey Street.

According to Gresham Police, a driver was speeding west on Halsey Street when the person lost control of the car and crossed four lanes of traffic, narrowly missing an eastbound semi truck. The car crashed into a power pole, causing that pole to break.

The driver had three passengers in the car; police said all four of them were taken to the hospital. Three of them suffered non-life threatening injuries while one person sustained serious injuries.

The power pole fell on top of the semi truck and trapped the driver inside. Crews managed to free him by around 6:15 a.m.

Charges are pending against the driver of the Honda, 24-year-old Benjamin Crawford of Gresham. He was briefly hospitalized, and is not in police custody.

Officials expect the intersection to remain closed until around 2 p.m. while crews work to repair the damaged power lines.
Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact the Gresham Police department at 503-618-2320.