Four Boy Scout Leaders Killed in Electrical Accident at Jamboree Opening in Virginia

COX.Net AP Story ^ | July 25,2005 | MICHAEL FELBERBAUM, Associated Press Writer

[SandRat]

BOWLING GREEN, Va. -- Four adult Boy Scout leaders were killed Monday afternoon in an electrical accident during the opening day of the organization's 2005 Jamboree.

Jamboree spokesman Gregg Shields said the accident occurred between 4:30 and 5 p.m. while the leaders were setting up camp.

One other leader and a contract worker were injured, and were hospitalized in stable condition, Shields said. No youth Scouts were seriously hurt, he said. He did not say how many might have sustained minor injuries.

Shields did not have additional details about the accident, including the victims' names.

"We have an investigation under way," he said.

More than 40,000 Boy Scouts, leaders and volunteers from around the world are attending the 2005 National Scout Jamboree. The event Monday at the Army's Fort AP Hill, a 76,000-acre Army training base about an hour south of the nation's capital.

The Jamboree runs through Aug. 3 with President Bush scheduled to speak Wednesday evening. Scouts ages 12-18 are to spend 10 days camping in tents and doing activities that include archery, fishing and a GPS-based scavenger hunt.

The Boy Scouts of America have held the event since 1937 with the next gathering set for 2010, the Scouts' 100th anniversary.

___

On the Net:

http://www.scouting.org/jamboree

http://www.aphill.army.mil

[digger48]

Thanks for that post!!!

The Duke is my hero, and this is something I didn't know about him.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I'm not involved with the Scouts anymore, but know some here. Waiting for local reports. Thanks for the prayers. The families are going to need them.

[bnelson44]

Scout Vespers

Sing to tune of: "Oh Christmas Tree"

Softly falls the light of day,
As our campfire fades away.
Silently each Scout should ask,
"Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared,
Everything to be Prepared?"


Listen Lord, oh listen Lord,
As I whisper soft and low.
Bless my mom and Bless my dad,
These are things that they should know.
I will keep my honor Bright,
The oath and law will be my guide.
And mom and dad this you should know,
Deep in my heart I love you so.

[armymarinemom]

. Waiting for local reports

Thanks. Keep me posted please. The scouts in your area were supportive of my son's unit when he was deployed. So sad.

[YankeeGirl]

I disagree. There are over 35,000 scouts attending. For many this is a once in a lifetime event. Make sure it is save and continue. My son now regrets he opted out of this event, only two of the older scouts in his troop didn't go.

Unfortunately these leaders may have had sons with them. Prayers up for everyone.

And shame on the ACLU for persecuting the boy scouts. It is the glue that holds many youth on the straight & narrow.

[xzins]

See my #30 & 45

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

1st Man on Earth's Moon =

Eagle Scout NEIL ARMSTRONG


1st Man on the Planet Mars =

Eagle Scout ....... .........?

.

[Rhiannon]

Thanks so much for the info. I saw that 4 died on the website earlier since I checked to see how things were going, since my 15 year old son is there. He left yesterday withe Baltimore Area Council contingent.

Ther is noway that this event should be cancelled because of the tragedy. That would make a mockery of the deaths. These leaders that died came from Alaska to get their scounts to the Jamboree.

There are 43,000 scouts there this year and this tragedy should not curtail the 18 months that these kids have worked to get to this event.

[tubebender]

Another Source

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Probable for the PA system and other necessary equipment

[ghostcat]

I used to be a Beaver. A good ol beaver too

[Techster]

I have three sons there, one with a contingent troop, and two working as youth staff. In totally agreement the Jamboree goes on while honoring those leaders that gave their lives that boys may grow into men.

The report sounds as though it was a troop campsite, possibly a gateway that was being put up. Can't imagine a large tent in a troop campsite

[weaponeer]

I also believe it puts the President in a very awkward position. The media, already unfair to the Boy Scouts, could use it to cast the President as insensitive.

The President has absolutely nothing to do with it. Other than the Jamboree taking place on Federal land, the president has no authority over the BSA. This old Eagle Scout (class of '66) says carry on. The troops affected may go home, but the others should carry on as I am sure those Scout Leaders would have wanted them to.

[xzins]

see #30 & 45

[newzjunkey]

He said they were putting up a big tent, and the center pole hit some electrical wires.

So much for 'be prepared'. Another body-blow of needless death to an organization that is held in too high esteem among those on FR.

[Woodman]

Local news here is reporting Anchorage Alaska, two troops attending from there and it was unclear if they were all from the same troop or not. Two other people also seriously injured, one adult and one scout but they are expected to recover.

[airborne]

Very sad day for the Boy Scouts of America.

[weaponeer]

OK, but if there's a vote, I think you're gonna lose. :-)

Seriously, this is a tragedy, and I can see that your feeling is one of respect for the loss of the leaders. But the BSA exists to instill certain values in our youth, and respect, courage, fortitude, and perseverance are just a few of them. They need to acknowledge the tragedy and move on, just like in so many other things in life.

[PacesPaines]

IIRC he had to cancel in 2001 because of the weather.

Yes, you are absolutely correct, the President regrettably did have to cancel in 2001 - in fact, the entire closing ceremony had to be postponed until the following day as a result of flooding from the severe storms. My son was a Scout at that Jamboree, and reported seeing the Arena stage, where the closing ceremony was to take place, sitting in the middle of a lake after the storms. He had also returned from Sunday morning church services to find a river running through his tent! So although these unanticipated circumstances prevented President Bush from being there in person, his speech to the Scouts was instead broadcast at the rescheduled closing ceremony the following evening.

There was a kid hit by lightning in 2001. He survived.

Yep, I also remember that a Scout survived being hit by lighting at the 2001 Jamboree.  At the time, I was doing the website for our council's Jambo contingent and posting news from them each day.  I recall getting a call from our council office to post the word and start a phone tree among the parents here at home that our boys were not involved in the incident.

I'm so sorry to learn of the tragic accident out at this year's Jamboree, and they will be in our prayers.  But the Jamboree should go on.  It is an experience of a lifetime for these Scouts.

[xzins]

I'm definitely gonna lose on a vote. I haven't had a single soul support my position.

Just a lonely voice crying out in the wilderness..... LOL!