[Warning Grpahic !] Tow strap breaks killing 2 spectators

[sketch]

Crowd gathers to watch a tow and end up catching a tow strap in the face.
A reminder to never get too laxed with 4WD recoveries and use the right gear.

[TJ]

Slightly misleading. The strap didn't break, the attachment/recovery point did. It highlights the dangers of using tow balls as recovery strap attachment points. A proper recovery point is designed to bend or distort, not just snap off (although that can still happen).

[LR90NZ]

It doesn't look like a tow ball being used but in fact a pintle hook.

Either way it was ripped from the vehicle so wasn't secured that well. The snatch was hard but wouldn't have been as severe as it could have been if the towing vehicle was not reversing.
You have to wonder what type of strap was being used and if it was a proper nylon strap suitable for snatch or kinetic recovery.

[nismo26]

We had just a snatch strap snap
the other weekend an just that put a good dent in the door and broke a window.

[The WEHI]

People don't realize snatch straps need rest periods you cant use them over and over again, 2-3 pulls then thats that for a few hours

Arb Warning

"NOTE: Due to the nature of synthetic fibres, recovery straps require rest periods between use to return to their original length and capacity. Be aware that excessive pulls on a recovery strap over a short period of time can cause build up of heat and possible failure."

And

"Be aware that a strap can lose up to 20% strength when wet"

Edit to add arb warnings, found here http://www.arb.com.au/getting-started/Recovery_Techniques_and_Equipment.php

Was looking for a differant one.

[The WEHI]

also noticed the rope is pulling down on the pintle acting as leverage to shear it off vs a flat pull would spread the load and not have the same shearing factor,

or am i wrong in thinking that?

[TJ]

It doesn't look like a tow ball being used but in fact a pintle hook.

I watched it on my phone, it was difficult to tell the difference. Regardless, it was the recovery point that became the missile and resulted in people getting hurt as much as they did. Recovery technique may be at fault as well. But at the end of the day, these are the situations where I prefer to buy brand name tested products rather than cheap out on TradeMe or eBay.

[Ant]

Not nice to watch but a good reminder to stand away from the danger area. I wouldnt trust any recovery gear with my life. Even the best stuff can fail without warning