Safety gear was noticeably absent

I am writing to express my extreme disgust for a group’s blatant disregard for safety, human life and impressionable youth.

I was present in the stands at the Everett Events Center on Saturday night for the monster truck quad/Harley pull show. There were hundreds of children present.

When the Harley pull was about to begin, I was a little upset that none of the riders had an ounce of safety gear on – not even a helmet.

On the second run, a female rider – again, not wearing proper safety equipment – collided with another rider and was thrown from her bike. She was subsequently pinned against wrecked cars, and had to be extricated and removed by paramedics.

Shortly after, a quad rider was interviewed after winning a race. He stressed the importance of wearing safety gear to the youths, in his words, “to look cool like the riders.”

The show continued, and much to my shock and dismay, the Harley pull was reintroduced! As if the fans had not seen enough of this bad idea. The same wrecked cars, the same bikes, and the same riders without safety equipment.

Why did the riders charge toward smashed, wrecked cars with razor sharp edges? Why did they not wear appropriate safety gear?

I am appalled by this disregard. I think the AMP group, the Events Center, the announcer, and the Harley Pullers owe all present a public apology for the trauma they put everyone through, and the horrible example that was set for so many impressionable youth that night.

Chad R. Olson

Monroe