Tragic Death at Irvine Lake
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On April 21, 9-year-old Brandy Blanchflower sat frozen in place on the spectator-ladened shore of Irvine Lake. What thoughts could have come to this little girl’s mind before she was hit, then hurled 45 feet through the air to her death by a drag-racing boat?
This event is tragic. However, the real tragedy is that three other drag-racing-related fatalities have occurred at this lake since 1982 and nothing has been done till now to stop these recreational sporting events.
It should be quite clear to any rational human being that Irvine Lake was not designed for boat races. The public should be appalled at the comment made by the Drag Boat Assn.’s spokesman who so ignorantly maintained that “conditions at Irvine Lake are safer than at many lakes where identical races are held.” If this is so, then how many more innocent lives will be taken before something is done to stop these drag races that are riddled with negligence?
TERRI FRANK
Long Beach
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