Australian Skater Dies....

[skategeezer]

Teen dies after skateboarding accident

12:00a.m. 8th August 2008
| By Kerryn Manifold

As a chilly westerly breeze cut across Point Cartwright yesterday, David McSweeny was filled with pain.
Last Thursday, at about 5pm, David’s 18-year-old brother, Lachlan Masterson skateboarded down a steep Nambour road, fell and hit his head.
After being kept on life support for a day in Brisbane, the machines were turned off on Saturday.
“When I looked at him lying there, I could see in his eyes he was gone,” David said.
Now six people, including one young boy, have another chance at life thanks to Lachlan’s gift.
David was mourning for his brother but was happy other people could be helped.
“He was just on the cusp of being a man and about to start an apprenticeship as a painter,” David said.
“He was a big fella with a big future ahead of him and had a beautiful girlfriend.
“Down inside, he was really good and that makes the loss a bit harder.”
He pleaded with young people to wear correct safety gear when skateboarding.
“If he was wearing a helmet, there’s a good chance he’d still be here now,” he said.
For Lachlan’s girlfriend, Mel Condren, remembering the larrikin who turned 18 in June, allowed a slight smile to cut through the numbness she felt.
Lachlan's girlfriend Mel Condren and a photo of Lachlan, inset.

Mel, who had been with Lachlan for almost two years since she met him at Burnside High School, said scattering his ashes in the breaking surf was a fitting farewell.
“He felt comfortable at the beach,” she said.
David agreed.
“His passion was body-boarding and he was always in the surf,” he said.
“He only ever wanted to surf the one spot called The Rock.
“It’s a popular body boarding spot and I’ll always be surfing around there.
“I figure he’ll be there too, mate.”
Lachlan’s best mate, Paco Johnson-Cash, said the former Maroochydore and Nambour AFL player was always thinking of others.
“It was the little things,” Paco said.
“Every time he came over, he would bring a block of chocolate to share because he was just generous. He never turned up empty handed.”
It’s that generosity that David said would lead dozens of people to attend the funeral service at Drysdale’s Funerals on National Park Road in Nambour at 10am tomorrow morning.
Anybody who knew Lachlan is invited to the funeral.
Surfing videos capturing Lachlan’s passion will be projected on the walls during the service before a group of body-boarders travel to the beach and paddle out to sea to lay him to rest.

[SteveC]

damnit, when are people going to learn.

This whole industry needs a shakeup.

[guroo]

Wear your helmets kids.

[Parallel Man]

What's so irritating is some bozo will come along in this thread and start BRAGGING about how he's never worn a helmet and only had two concussions and three blackouts but if he had a helmet on it may have gouged his eye out.

Really senseless.

[HailStorm101]

{friends account}

This as simple to say, but, sucks. Another member of the boarding scene gone.

On a slightly off note:

My one question is, if death [without a helmet] won't even shake a thought into the non-helmet wearers and others, what will... their own death?....

As said above, there is a kid around me whose way better at boarding then i am, he brags and hates on people (like me) who are still learning different traits to boarding but that doesn't bother me as to the fact that he never wears a helmet and one of his good friends (who i know) has lost count on how many concussions and blackouts he's had... When will he even care about his head/life?

Sorry random thoughts, but still so many people are hating on helmets when really, its just to keep you riding and living... whats so bad about that?

[AWDPirate]

-paddle out from the fish. condolences to his family and friends..

[sk8norcal]

YouTube - The death of Robert Harris

[compster]

This is so true, don't leave your beautiful girlfriend alone, wear a helmet fool!

[GravityRider15]

Originally Posted by Parallel Man

What's so irritating is some bozo will come along in this thread and start BRAGGING about how he's never worn a helmet and only had two concussions and three blackouts but if he had a helmet on it may have gouged his eye out.

Really senseless.

I know. It's dad. I wear my helmet almost all the time now. A couple months ago, I never had it on, and I am not going back to that.

[Eddy Martinez]

I live through this year round. Watching people take their last breath due to head injuries. It hurts. Some people ask if I am numb from watching so much death working in the ICU. It is my job and I love trying to save lives. It is horrible to see families in so much pain. My driver liscense states organ donor . life is so precious. Enjoy your selves, enjoy that ride. Wear safety gear bros. Taking a bad spill is not worth it. Via con Dios Amigo Y que Dios te quide. My condolences go out to your family and your beautiful girlfriend. Your Amigo Eddy Texas Outlaws/Pavel Skates

[HerBDerb]

Originally Posted by Parallel Man

What's so irritating is some bozo will come along in this thread and start BRAGGING about how he's never worn a helmet and only had two concussions and three blackouts but if he had a helmet on it may have gouged his eye out.

Really senseless.

I've never worn a helmet, and I've only had two concussions and been knocked out thrice.
There was this one crash, where if I had been wearing a helmet, it would've ripped my eye clean out of the socket!


But seriously, wear yo helmets.

[kookyfish]

This sort of thing is a sad waste of life, most of these guys that this happens to, and no disrespect to the fallen., but they seem to think they are bullet proof and it wont happen to them because they can skate pretty well.
I went for a skate with my son today and we both had helmets on ..yeh for us. The thing is we went past the local skate park which was packed with all ages .The only people wearing helmets where 2 bmx guys, I see it and I get a shudder every time . especially because there never seems to be any adults there with the kids under 10yr.
I keep hearing kids say its just not cool and none of the pro's wear helmets so why should we?
I say its time skate companies stepped up and owned up to this problem, as all there mags and pictured sponsored skaters , are often showing skaters promoting there gear not wearing helmets .
But just like the fashion industry wont promote normal sized people because they dont sell clothing. I see skate companies not wanting to have there riders get up set at having to wear helmets because they dont feeeel cool.
well being dead an't cool .
and having some young kid die because he wants to be like his no helmet wearing skate hero . isn't very cool either.

ok it may be the kids own responsibility to wear one when hes out there. But I think some blame falls on those who promote the sport to do it in a safe way .
If you want to be taken out of the" skateboarding is just a toy "and kids leisure activity rather than being looked at as a (sport) which it clearly is.
then it should be promoted as such.

my 2c

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