— from KOMO News —
A ferry worker was injured when he was crushed between two cars Friday evening.
The accident happened as the M/V Elwha was loading and unloading cars at the Orcas Island ferry dock around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Witness Bob Connor tells KOMO News the ferry worker somehow became pinned between a truck and an SUV.
The ferry worker was flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center, according to ferries spokesperson Susan Harris, but their condition is not known.
Officials from Washington State Ferries have not clarified how the worker became pinned.
The accident delayed service on the Anacortes-San Juan Islands route while the worker was aided by emergency crews. Service has resumed to normal.
So sorry to learn this. It is chilling to imagine this unfortunate scene entering our everyday cautions.
What a tragic accident! Drivers need to consciously heed directions. I actually observed a driver on the ferry following the accident. The driver continued moving AFTER being directed to stop. Subsequently this same driver drove over the wheel jacks during arrival at Orcas in an apparent attempt to go down the ramp and exit the ferry faster. I would hope that driver recognizes the problem they could have caused.
This is terrible. I have been concerned with where the workers stand when motioning us closer — trusting the driver is in total control of response time and braking time.
Another concern I have mentioned again and again to WSF – perhaps this is a time to DELUGE the WSF with our demand:
When heading down the ramp into the ferry the sun is often in our eyes and the person directing us is in shadow. WE know to look, squint, have sunglasses etc but many don’t know HOW VITAL THE DIRECTIONS OF THE TRAFFIC DIRECTOR ON THE BOAT is.
I believe the one directing us to lanes on the boat should have a lighted wand, the same as the Orcas traffic director when we off-load at night.
When heading down the ramp into the ferry the sun is often in our eyes and the person directing us is in shadow. WE know to look, squint, have sunglasses etc but many don’t know HOW VITAL THE DIRECTIONS OF THE TRAFFIC DIRECTOR ON THE BOAT are.
I believe the one directing us to lanes on the boat should have a LIGHTED WAND, the same as the Orcas traffic director when we off-load at night.