Year after deadly balloon crash, parents want change
"We work awhile, cry awhile," said
Scott, 47, and
They also are championing change in the regulation of commercial hot air balloons. Their efforts are gaining some traction in
"They keep saying time will heal, but in my case, it has done very little healing,"
During the year after the crash, as Jan and
The hot air balloon operated by
When
"I just wanted to go into a room, lock the door and bawl my heart out," he said.
But the crash was hardly an unpreventable act of fate,
During the fatal balloon flight, Nichols, who suffered from depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, was under the influence of 13 medications, including drugs commonly sold under the trade names oxycontin, valium and benadryl. The chemical cocktail in his bloodstream likely impaired his decision-making, leading to a series of poor decisions by Nichols.
First, he made the decision to fly despite weather reports indicating poor visibility from fog and clouds. He also limited his options for landing by rising above the clouds, obscuring the ground from view. Finally, Nichols decided to land when the ground was not visible, resulting in his collision with power lines.
Additionally, Nichols had a criminal history rife with drug possession and DWI charges, earning him an aggravated offender status and revoked driver's license in
Jan and
Unlike airplane pilots, balloon operators were exempted from medical certification by the
That lack of oversight prevented
And the Douglases agreed.
"That accident would never have happened. They would still be here today. Yeah, I'm ticked,"
HR 4102, a bipartisan bill introduced by Democratic
If passed, the bill would require the
But
The father said he would like to see more strict insurance requirements for balloon operators and their companies. And the crash site should receive a memorial or marker, he said.
Farenthold said he would consider addressing those issues, although he admitted his politics mean he was "reluctant to force people to buy things."
During recent visits to the crash site, which is on
"I was at the hospital when Scott got his first breath on earth, and out there is where he had his last breath,"
___
(c)2017 Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas)
Visit Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas) at www.victoriaadvocate.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Senate Homeland Security Committee Issues Testimony From Georgetown University
EDITORIAL: Trump right on 401(k) plans
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News