3 storm chasers killed in a fatal car accident while chasing a tornado in Texas.

[Will_H_69_9]

Storm chasing is a very dangerous profession and it so dangerous that the professionals that chase the storms always warn armatures not to go storm chasing. There's a reason why, from the storms itself to the driving in dangerous condition to the distracted driving that comes when the drivers in these vehicles chasing storms don't pay attention to the roads but instead pays attention to the storms, the tech in their cars or themselves on camera or phone talking to the TV stations or webstreams telling people about the conditions outside.

Today, bad weather was in forecast in parts of the country and the dangers of storm chasing were once again shown to be fatal as tragedy stuck in Texas today as 3 storm chasers were killed in a fatal car accident while they were chasing a tornado 5 miles west of Spur, Texas, which is nearly 70 miles east of Lubbock.

Two of the three storm chasers who died worked as contractors for The Weather Channel. The two Weather Channel contracted storm chasers were Kelly Williamson, and Randal Yarnall. Also killed in the accident was Corbin Jaeger.

The accident occurred at 3:30 PM CDT where the Chevrolet Suburban driven by Williamson ran the stop sign and was hit by a Jeep driven by Jaeger. there were no survivors and Williamson was not wearing a safety belt which resulted in him being ejected from the SUV.

They were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Williamson was 57 years old, Yarnall was 55 years old and Jaegar was 25 years old.

This is the statement from The Weather Channel:

This afternoon we learned that three people died in a car accident in Texas, including two contractors for the Weather Channel, Kelley Williamson and Randy Yarnall. Kelley and Randy were beloved members of the weather community. We are saddened by this loss and our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of all involved.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/28/us/storm-chasers-fatal-crash-texas/index.html

 

[b-turner]

Kelley and Randy were pretty safe chasers, at least on camera. Chasing without wearing a seat belt is not wise given inflow and poor driving conditions. While running a stop sign might have been 'being caught up in the moment', I have been on some West Texas roads where there was no warning (ie: a stop ahead sign) and you pop over a rise and there it is without warning as you slide on the gravel and dirt hoping you can stop in time.

I gather all 3 died rather quickly, perhaps instantly. Too bad it happened since it should not have. I suppose the impact meant a seat belt would not have helped.

I noted Kelley and Randy were mentioned as storm chasers. The headline indicated the driver of the jeep, Corbin, was a storm chaser although in a few other reports he was not identified as a storm chaser.

Spur, Texas is out in the sticks. A town of about 1,000, it's the largest town for miles and miles. I'm not sure they have a hospital there. Somebody critically injured would surely be an hour by air (each way) from a critical care facility. The closest town, the county seat, Dickens is about 300 people with a private prison. The whole county is only 2,200 people.