Updated at 12:08 p.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Downhill bike tours halted in Haleakala National Park
Advertiser Staff
The National Park Service has suspended commercially guided downhill bicycle tours in Haleakala National Park following the third fatality involving the operations within a year.The "safety stand-down" was ordered yesterday, effective Oct. 10, National Park superintendent Marilyn H. Parris said in a press release.
On Sept. 26, a 65-year-old woman was killed on a commercial guided downhill tour when she lost control of her bicycle while traveling downhill from the 10,000-foot summit. She crossed the double yellow line on a downhill curve and was struck by an up-bound van operated by another commercial downhill bicycle operator.
"With three fatalities and several serious accidents within a year, it is important to stop and critically analyze this commercial activity in the park," said Parris.
The safety stand-down is scheduled for a minimum of 60 days or until such time as the park can analyze available information and determine whether downhill bicycle tours can safely operate in the future.
