Mother killed in high speed crash...but not in a car

[Astranomical]

Woman killed when street sled hits rail on Mt Cootha in Brisbane | News.com.au

A 50-YEAR-OLD woman and mother has been killed riding a luge board down a mountain in Brisbane's western suburbs.

The woman, who was travelling downhill at high speed, had gone too wide on a corner and tried to brake, losing control and sliding into a guard rail.

"She is a regular rider," a friend told the Sunday Mail this morning.

"And a beautiful person."

Ambulance officers commenced CPR on the woman at the scene but were unable to save her.

Police are yet to release any personal details until her son has been contacted.

Acting Inspector Chris Pemberton said the woman was luging, or street-sledding, down Sir Samuel Griffiths Drive around 6.15am when she lost control of her board and crashed against a guardrail on the north side of the mountain.

Acting Inspector Pemberton said luge was a restricted activity and required a permit, and it is believed the two riders involved this morning had not been granted permission for the activity that led to the tragedy.

He said those engaging in such sports needed to be careful.

"Our message is high risk activities like luge and public roads don't mix," he said.

"If you want to engage in high risk activities do it in an area that's designed for them and don't put yourself or others at risk."

Luging is a form of street-sledding where participants lie on a board with wheels and steer down hills and other steep inclines reaching speeds of up to 140km per hour.

The extreme sport is popular in Brisbane, which boasts a long-established social club.

So I wonder if the Police are now going to have a crackdown on luge riders? (to be honest I had to Google it as I'd never even heard of one until now) Either way, if I were going to strap myself to a sled designed to go down hills at high speeds, the last place I'd be doing it would be on a public road. I assume that if there's a club for people who ride these things, they'd have a track designed specifically for them.

[showbags]

Maybe it was too low & wheels too big?

[Rusty]

Woman killed when street sled hits rail on Mt Cootha in Brisbane | News.com.au



So I wonder if the Police are now going to have a crackdown on luge riders?

I would like to think so! They should not be on public roads as they pay no rego, have no speedo, indicators or brake lights.

I would of thought a woman of 50 years would have more common sense than illegally luging down one hell of a hill that is Mt Cootha!

[fuzzy2308]

good on her 50yo and still getting a rush on a luge from bombing hills.

[acarmody]

Because no-one likes to takes an early Saturday morning drive up to Mt Cootha during the holidays.

Seriously why would you think this is a good idea?

[vkberlina]

Maybe it was too low & wheels too big?

She was probably speeding as well

Scott

[greenacc]

I've heard luge isn't the only thing peolpe do on Mt cootha to get a rush, and both come to a sticky end.