A Safety Reminder For Us All.

[Rich_p 23]

A sad story and Just a bit of a reminder really that we should all ensure our cars are safe to work under.

 

I'm sure we've all left the axle stands to one side at one point or another.

 

My link

[Alessandro513 0]

This is more common than you think.

Been to a couple like this in the last couple of years.

Very sad for the family and I send my respect.

Must use axle stands and ensure vehicle is fully supported. Very sad.

[SurGie 54]

Iv had my car on 4 axle stands at a time only to recently find out from reading the old axle stands box that you are only suppose to use two at a time

 

Theres also a black 205 near where i live and when i once drove by being nosey as usual i spotted that the lad that owns it had it on axle stands on top of a stony drive, remember always use a flat strong surface.

 

Respects go out.

[Cameron 16]

What a shame!

 

I'm always extremely careful when I get under my car.. always give it a bloody good shake on the stands before I'm willing to get underneath it, and even then I'm a bit nervous and make sure I'm able to get out quick.

[swordfish210 20]

Nasty way to go i remember seeing that car on Top Gear.

 

I have been underneath a Radical in the pitlane with just two people holding it up, i like to live life on the edge

[P_Monty 2]

Yeah - lets be careful. Mine fell off one stand while I was jacking it up to put the other stand in today. Fortunately no damage to me or car...

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Mm, a real shame. I nearly got squashed by a midget, it fell off the axle stands, luckily I had left one of the back wheels on, so it rocked on three wheels rather than land completely on me. Its easy to get complacent when doing basic stuff with axle stands etc.

[oli-pug 6 2 Cars]

This hits close to home for me. Two years ago I got crushed under my brother's Golf!

 

His exhaust had come away at the downpipe joint in the middle of nowhere so, being a fool, I decided to try and mend it just with a scissor jack supporting one of the sills. The car crept forward and fell off the jack thanks to a combo off tugging at the exhaust, not in gear and a s*it handbrake.

 

I was side-on, shoulder level with the sill. The pain and feeling of it simply being THE END with a crush injury like this is a very scary experience trust me. Lucky for me my brother got this super andrenaline strength you often here about, and managed to lift the car off me and drag me out at the same time. I have no idea how but i'm thankful!

 

My condolences to Stuart's family, really terrible to hear

[Eliganza 2]

Always a good idea to slip a spare wheel under there also, just in case, could be the difference between life and death in this case.

[Cameron 16]

Holy crap Oli! Did you break anything?

[Alastairh 47]

Always a good idea to slip a spare wheel under there also, just in case, could be the difference between life and death in this case.

Agreed, it also gets the wheel out the way for a potetial trip hazard aswell.

 

I had my hand crushed under a sill a few years ago when the sill gave in, luckily a couple of friends were on standby.

 

Rip buddy.

[mickie 3]

if people keep on dying diy'ing their own car's they'll make it illegal, before long and no-one will be able to work on their own cars

[oli-pug 6 2 Cars]

Holy crap Oli! Did you break anything?

 

Yep, completely screwed my left shoulder & collar bone. Needed plates and loads of physio to get back ok again. Also broke a few ribs, heavy bruising to my torso, burst blood vessels in my face from the pressure and my heart was a bit "hit n miss" for a while

 

Was not a happy time but I got off lightly by all means!

[Cameron 16]

s*it son! You were lucky, but unlucky!

[GLPoomobile 958]

Yep, completely screwed my left shoulder & collar bone. Needed plates and loads of physio to get back ok again. Also broke a few ribs, heavy bruising to my torso, burst blood vessels in my face from the pressure and my heart was a bit "hit n miss" for a while

 

Was not a happy time but I got off lightly by all means!

 

It's got to be asked..........did you soil yourself?

 

I know I make light of it but that is s*it-scary stuff. I've never felt particularly worried whilst working under the Pug, but the thought of getting under my fat-bastard 166 scares me. I've had it up on the scissor jack a couple of times but not actually been underneath it (and I wouldn't with it just on the scissor jack).

[Jer309GTi 3]

One of my sister's best friend's Dad died from working under his car with just a jack, and the jack gave way and crushed him. Not a nice way to go I'd imagine. I always use axle stands even though I have an expensive jack, not worth the risk

[oli-pug 6 2 Cars]

It's got to be asked..........did you soil yourself?

 

Haha no i didn't soil myself surprisingly! Think I might've had a poo just beforehand

[allye 530 3 Cars]

I often (very fortunate to have a friend with a couple) use a ramp, quite happily have been for years. I then commented on how I'm always slightly nervous it will come down on me jokingly, then my friends states how it can and does happen!!!!! . I always use the brake now.

 

Indeed a very sad story, as above I always put the spares under the sides when on axel stands.

[lagonda 42]

Many years ago I was working under my brother's Alvis...safely supported...I thought...by two axle stands and a jack. The front axle beam was pretty oily, & the jack was taking a fair bit of the weight. So I'm struggling with something lieing under the engine, & suddenly realise everything is moving sideways. Just like an accident, everything in slow motion. The jack had pivoted sideways, & the oily axle beam was sliding over the axle stands. I couldn't move quickly, & watched as the end of the beam slid off one stand, & fell....very fortunately a steering arm caught on the axle stand, so it only fell a short distance & I was only slightly squeezed. Frightening at the time.

 

Ever since...just as others have said, I always put a spare wheel where the car might fall now.