They don't know why it happened but it has left a family forever shattered. And it's not the first time officials have encountered this kind of tragedy. A seven-year-old Hamilton girl died Tuesday, after a bizarre accident near
Apsley, Ontario. Little Sydney Robis was riding in a boat that was towing three other kids on a quiet lake in cottage country when a tow bar collapsed, discharging a metal bar that struck the girl in the head. An emergency airlift to a Kingston hospital couldn't save her life and the child succumbed to her injuries.
It was the second such accident on the waters this week. Another youngster, an 8-year-old boy, remains in critical condition in a Toronto hospital after the tube he was riding in smashed into another boat on Rice Lake Saturday.
They may sound like freak accidents but they prove how dangerous an outing on the waters can be during the summer. It's called "tubing" and it's becoming an increasingly popular sport up north. It involves attaching an inner tube to the back of a boat with a tether and riding in it as the vessel reaches top speeds. It can be an exhilarating experience - as long as nothing goes wrong.
Officials have been dealing with the fallout from these kinds of excursions for some time. Last summer, another form of the sport
claimed the life of a Burlington man who was
kite tubing in a lake near Guelph. And the site
YouTube is awash with videos showing tubing accidents from around North America.
Officials caution it's up to parents to be sure their kids are safe. "The person that you're towing should know how to swim," advises Sgt. Darren Little of the Toronto Police Marine Unit. "They should be wearing all of their safety equipment, a full life jacket."
And make sure the tow rope is properly secure. "If it stretches, then it's got tension on it. It snaps. It's going to go winging. Whereas [those that don't] ... build up tension will just fall into the water. The best knot you can tie is a bow. "
Here are some other general tubing rules to follow before you rev your engines:
Wear protection
A personal flotation device may not be cool for kids, but it's a lifesaver if they wind up in the water, separated from the boat.
Use a proper rope
Use a real sailing rope, not nylon, since the latter can stretch and snap back.
Understand the equipment
Knowing what you're doing and using before you go out is key.
Judge by experience
If the person you're going out with hasn't done this before, factor that in - along with his or her age. Common sense is often the best defence.
Have a spotter
Someone on the boat should always act as a lookout to ensure the riders in the tube are right where they're supposed to be.
Drive Sober
Cops have stepped up their patrols and have a zero tolerance for anyone caught drinking and riding on or behind a vessel.
You're not alone
Remember to keep an eye out for other boats, swimmers or objects in the area. It's a big lake and you're not the only one in it.
Make sure your tow line is secure
It's still not clear what caused the accident that killed the little girl, but any signs of wear, tear or fraying must be tended to immediately.
Are they ready?
It seems like a no-brainer, but be sure everyone is on the same page before you put the craft in gear.
Beware of wakes
They can cause tubers to suffer back injuries - especially if you cross them at high speeds and the rider is stomach down.
Source: National Marine Manufacturers' Assn.