giconceptsjw Posted October 13, 2010 Share #1 Posted October 13, 2010 On Friday afternoon October 1st, my friend Jim Frey was helping to load vehicles onto a flatbed low-boy trailer in preparation for the annual Marching Through History public event in Chino California. They had just loaded a Stuart tank and were in the process of loading a mock-up Japanese Hago tank behind it. Jim was standing on the trailer behind the Stuart giving hand signals to the driver of the Hago. The Hago apparently stalled twice before going up the trailer ramp so on the third try the driver gave it a little more throttle. The tank came up the ramp too fast and couldn’t stop. Jim saw this and tried to jump off the trailer out of the way but he didn’t make it. His head was crushed between the two vehicles. The Hago tank did manage to stop on it’s own just 4 inches from the Stuart and tragically, Jim’s head was caught between that 4 inch wide space. It crushed his skull but did not kill him. He was taken to the hospital and upon arrival he had zero brain activity however, doctors maintained his breathing and heart rate mechanically. The following Tuesday, October 5th Jim’s family discontinued his life support realizing there was absolutely no chance of recovery. Jim died a short time later. That day was Jim’s 45th birthday. I had known Jim Frey since the mid 1990’s and he was a very happy, friendly guy and everyone liked him. The added tragedy to this is the driver of the Hago tank was also a very close friend of Jim’s and has since attempted suicide as a result of the accident. Jim had many years experience as a driver and mechanic on military vehicles and had loaded them for transportation literally hundreds of times before. He knew better than to place himself between two vehicles like that but he just forgot to be careful. This was a very tragic and senseless accident that has hit all of his friends & family very hard. In case anyone in the southern California area is interested, there will be an open invitation memorial for Jim at the Chino Air Museum on Saturday, October 30th at 11:00 am. JW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Apathy Posted October 13, 2010 Share #2 Posted October 13, 2010 On Friday afternoon October 1st, my friend Jim Frey was helping to load vehicles onto a flatbed low-boy trailer in preparation for the annual Marching Through History public event in Chino California. They had just loaded a Stuart tank and were in the process of loading a mock-up Japanese Hago tank behind it. Jim was standing on the trailer behind the Stuart giving hand signals to the driver of the Hago. The Hago apparently stalled twice before going up the trailer ramp so on the third try the driver gave it a little more throttle. The tank came up the ramp too fast and couldn’t stop. Jim saw this and tried to jump off the trailer out of the way but he didn’t make it. His head was crushed between the two vehicles. The Hago tank did manage to stop on it’s own just 4 inches from the Stuart and tragically, Jim’s head was caught between that 4 inch wide space. It crushed his skull but did not kill him. He was taken to the hospital and upon arrival he had zero brain activity however, doctors maintained his breathing and heart rate mechanically. The following Tuesday, October 5th Jim’s family discontinued his life support realizing there was absolutely no chance of recovery. Jim died a short time later. That day was Jim’s 45th birthday. I had known Jim Frey since the mid 1990’s and he was a very happy, friendly guy and everyone liked him. The added tragedy to this is the driver of the Hago tank was also a very close friend of Jim’s and has since attempted suicide as a result of the accident. Jim had many years experience as a driver and mechanic on military vehicles and had loaded them for transportation literally hundreds of times before. He knew better than to place himself between two vehicles like that but he just forgot to be careful. This was a very tragic and senseless accident that has hit all of his friends & family very hard. In case anyone in the southern California area is interested, there will be an open invitation memorial for Jim at the Chino Air Museum on Saturday, October 30th at 11:00 am. JW Sincere heartfelt consolations to his family and friends, a tragic event during what should have been a funfilled weekend. lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted October 13, 2010 Share #3 Posted October 13, 2010 Thoughts and prayers go out to Jim's family... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 13, 2010 Share #4 Posted October 13, 2010 Tragic! Sabrejet :salute: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrei Posted October 13, 2010 Share #5 Posted October 13, 2010 Sad news... I am sorry for the loss of your friend. :salute: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted October 13, 2010 Share #6 Posted October 13, 2010 An absolute shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted October 13, 2010 Share #7 Posted October 13, 2010 Wow, that is trully sad. My heart goes out to his family. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capa Posted October 13, 2010 Share #8 Posted October 13, 2010 My sincere condolences and having lost a family member to suicide, I hope the driver gets the help he needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 13, 2010 Share #9 Posted October 13, 2010 JW Sorry to hear the loss of your friend.May your memories of him help you lighten the burden of a tragic loss. Please relay my sympathy and best wishes to the family.Another loss of a young man. :salute: RON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted October 13, 2010 Share #10 Posted October 13, 2010 That is a very sad and tragic accident, my condolences to his family and the driver of the tank. God Bless John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted October 13, 2010 Share #11 Posted October 13, 2010 My deepest condolences. God Speed to your friend as he heads into another life. Prayers of comfort for the family & friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted October 14, 2010 Share #12 Posted October 14, 2010 SUCH A TRADEGY, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF SORROW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baker Posted October 14, 2010 Share #13 Posted October 14, 2010 This is so very tragic. I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Prayers to the family and all involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted October 14, 2010 Share #14 Posted October 14, 2010 Our prayers are with the family of your friend and the driver of the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA1794 Posted October 14, 2010 Share #15 Posted October 14, 2010 My condolences to you and Jim's family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PvtTamura Posted October 14, 2010 Share #16 Posted October 14, 2010 I will most definitely be attending at Chino airport, it is very close to my home. I heard about the accident when I attended the Prado event, but the severity of the injury was not known. My sincerest condolences, I will be at the memorial. PvtTamura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysmb44 Posted October 14, 2010 Share #17 Posted October 14, 2010 I'm very sorry to hear this. Thanks for posting the details. I'd heard it happened but nobody would say how. I'm not a sicko who gets kicks on these details, but it is important to know so others learn from the error. I hope the driver gets the help he needs.When I was active duty, one of my people did exactly the thing thing, but only with a PLS instead. Everyone forgot the driver, I'm glad someone else is thinking of him too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misanthropic_Gods Posted October 14, 2010 Share #18 Posted October 14, 2010 Oh man...what a shame. It just takes one second...I am so sorry for both Jim and the driver. :salute: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeper704 Posted October 14, 2010 Share #19 Posted October 14, 2010 Our condolences to you and to his family. A tragic loss of life. Erwin and Bianca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4STARCHRIS Posted October 14, 2010 Share #20 Posted October 14, 2010 Sorry for the loss. What a terrible accodent. God speed to the family, victim and the driver. 4starchris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giconceptsjw Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share #21 Posted October 15, 2010 Thanks very much to everyone who responded with kind words and condolences. JW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted October 15, 2010 Share #22 Posted October 15, 2010 Just saw this thread....what a tragedy....thoughts and prayers to both Jim and his family as well as the driver of the other vehicle. Like Ken said, a sad start to what should have been a happy and fun weekend. Godspeed......to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colbill Posted October 17, 2010 Share #23 Posted October 17, 2010 May God rest his soul. My sympathy and best to you and his family. V/R Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted October 18, 2010 Share #24 Posted October 18, 2010 That is just awful. My condolences to Jim's family as well as the driver. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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