Four Boy Scout Leaders Die in Electrical Accident - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 07-26-2005, 09:36 AM

Four Boy Scout Leaders Die in Electrical Accident

Organizers Vow to Continue With Annual Jamboree in Virginia

BOWLING GREEN, Va. (July 26) (AP) - The Boy Scouts of America vowed to continue their Jamboree despite the death of four adult Scout leaders in an electrical accident while setting up camp on the opening day.

"The Jamboree will go on," said spokeswoman Renee Fairrer.

The four leaders who died Monday afternoon were from an Alaska troop. One other leader from Alaska and two contract workers were hospitalized in stable condition. No Boy Scouts were seriously injured.

Little information on the incident was released Monday by officials with the Jamboree, being held at the Army's Fort A.P. Hill about an hour south of Washington, D.C. Army officials are assisting with the investigation.

Caroline County Sheriff A.A. "Tony" Lippa Jr. told The Washington Post that a preliminary investigation indicated a tent pole had struck a power line but authorities had not determined how it happened. "We're not sure if the poles shifted," he said.

One of the fatalities was identified as Ron Bitzer, a retired administrative judge and assistant scoutmaster of Troop 129 of Anchorage, according to troop scoutmaster Ken Schoolcraft.

"Scouting was what he loved. He spent many, many, many hours working with Scouting," Schoolcraft said. "It was a way for him to help others."

The names of the other victims were not released Monday night.

Fairrer said the Boy Scouts would do something to honor those who were killed. "We are family, and this is like something has happened to four members of our family," she said. "We are all hurting."

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims' family members and troop members.

"These individuals were killed while serving Alaska's young people -- and I admire and thank them for that service," he said.

The deaths came a day after a Boy Scouts volunteer from North Carolina was taken to a hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack, Fairrer said.

Most Scouts seemed unaware of the deaths Monday night, preparing dinner at their posts and getting ready for Tuesday's activities. An opening ceremony was scheduled for the morning.

The Alaska Scouts were moved to another area where chaplains and grief counselors were made available.

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. It may not be held at Fort A.P. Hill, which has hosted the event since 1981.

A federal judge recently ruled that the Pentagon can no longer financially support the event. If the ruling stands, the Boy Scouts would have to find another location for their next gathering.

A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois contends that the Defense Department's sponsorship violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God.

Utility workers shut off power lines after the accident at the 2005 Jamboree.

TripperFan · 07-26-2005, 09:46 AM

Wow - wonder what happened for that many to be killed and injured!

Janice · 07-26-2005, 09:55 AM

The details are sketchy, but the article says a power line hit a tent pole. Maybe they were setting up the tent. Those tents are huge and serious business. Poor guys.

Mikado · 07-26-2005, 02:37 PM

Miss Golden · 07-26-2005, 03:43 PM

I had a friend in scouts that lost a leg after a grizzly bear attack after he wandered to far from camp, luckily one of the camp counselors was a paramedic and knew what to do to save his life.

Howdoulikemenow333 · 07-26-2005, 09:28 PM

One person I knew he was at the meeting of boy scouts,he's a dr where I live it was not him,but he and some other dr from here, probably went and tryed to save them. One of the men who got killed his two chirdren wacth him get killed. They had those long poles which hit the cord while the other 3 was holding the other poles.

07-26-2005, 09:36 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Four Boy Scout Leaders Die in Electrical Accident Four Boy Scout Leaders Die in Electrical Accident Organizers Vow to Continue With Annual Jamboree in Virginia BOWLING GREEN, Va. (July 26) (AP) - The Boy Scouts of America vowed to continue their Jamboree despite the death of four adult Scout leaders in an electrical accident while setting up camp on the opening day. "The Jamboree will go on," said spokeswoman Renee Fairrer. The four leaders who died Monday afternoon were from an Alaska troop. One other leader from Alaska and two contract workers were hospitalized in stable condition. No Boy Scouts were seriously injured. Little information on the incident was released Monday by officials with the Jamboree, being held at the Army's Fort A.P. Hill about an hour south of Washington, D.C. Army officials are assisting with the investigation. Caroline County Sheriff A.A. "Tony" Lippa Jr. told The Washington Post that a preliminary investigation indicated a tent pole had struck a power line but authorities had not determined how it happened. "We're not sure if the poles shifted," he said. One of the fatalities was identified as Ron Bitzer, a retired administrative judge and assistant scoutmaster of Troop 129 of Anchorage, according to troop scoutmaster Ken Schoolcraft. "Scouting was what he loved. He spent many, many, many hours working with Scouting," Schoolcraft said. "It was a way for him to help others." The names of the other victims were not released Monday night. Fairrer said the Boy Scouts would do something to honor those who were killed. "We are family, and this is like something has happened to four members of our family," she said. "We are all hurting." Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski issued a statement offering his condolences to the victims' family members and troop members. "These individuals were killed while serving Alaska's young people -- and I admire and thank them for that service," he said. The deaths came a day after a Boy Scouts volunteer from North Carolina was taken to a hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack, Fairrer said. Most Scouts seemed unaware of the deaths Monday night, preparing dinner at their posts and getting ready for Tuesday's activities. An opening ceremony was scheduled for the morning. The Alaska Scouts were moved to another area where chaplains and grief counselors were made available. 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. It may not be held at Fort A.P. Hill, which has hosted the event since 1981. A federal judge recently ruled that the Pentagon can no longer financially support the event. If the ruling stands, the Boy Scouts would have to find another location for their next gathering. A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois contends that the Defense Department's sponsorship violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God. Utility workers shut off power lines after the accident at the 2005 Jamboree.

07-26-2005, 09:46 AM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Wow - wonder what happened for that many to be killed and injured!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

07-26-2005, 09:28 PM	#6
Howdoulikemenow333 I'M having a bad day Senior Member Join Date: Jul 05, 2003 Location: Later Posts: 1,263	One person I knew he was at the meeting of boy scouts,he's a dr where I live it was not him,but he and some other dr from here, probably went and tryed to save them. One of the men who got killed his two chirdren wacth him get killed. They had those long poles which hit the cord while the other 3 was holding the other poles.
	__________________ I I think I'm going crazy...Oh wait a minute I am crazy.....Crazy like a fox.

07-26-2005, 09:55 AM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The details are sketchy, but the article says a power line hit a tent pole. Maybe they were setting up the tent. Those tents are huge and serious business. Poor guys.

07-26-2005, 02:37 PM	#4
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892

07-26-2005, 03:43 PM	#5
Miss Golden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 1,231	I had a friend in scouts that lost a leg after a grizzly bear attack after he wandered to far from camp, luckily one of the camp counselors was a paramedic and knew what to do to save his life.