Bar Harbor Maine Attraction Site of Tragedy for Seven Year Old Girl

In Bar Harbor, Maine a seven year old girl was killed, and nine others injured when a vicious wave hit a viewing platform of the popular attraction Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park. The incident occurred just after noon as a huge wave came in swept the spectators into the ravages of the angry ocean. Many visitors do not understand the strength and dangers that can lay hidden behind the incredibly beautiful vistas.

The Bar Harbor, Maine attraction is named Thunder Hole and sits ten to fifteen feet above the water in Acadia National Park right on the coast off the Park Loop road. According to Coast Guard officials other spectators on the platform were able to retrieve two people from the cold ocean water right away.

But three others had to be rescued by the Coast Guard and that count tragically included the seven year old girl who was found a half-mile from the spot where she fell into the ocean. The other two were the father of the New York girl that perished and another twelve year old girl from Belfast, Maine.

The wave was blamed on hurricane Bill and the current maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour. While the hurricane just skirted the coast there was certainly enough power to be dangerous near the water.

Having lived in Bar Harbor, Maine for six years it is devastating to both the community and the visitors when these incidents occur. Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on the small ocean-side town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. People are drawn to the breath-taking views and all the activities available in the Park and on Mount Desert Island.

Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park is actually a naturally occurring small inlet in th solid rock where the waves come in. There is a small cavern at the end of this spot when the power of the waves arrive against the rock the pressure causes a sound like rolling thunder. It is very easy to spend hours just sitting and taking in the spectacular views of Thunder Hole.

But each year there are also injuries and sometimes tragedies like what has occurred at Thunder Hole. The ruggedness of the trails and vistas make the natural beauty irresistible, but the warnings of the professionals and the Bar Harbor locals need to be heeded by the visitors.

Be prepared when you go to a site like Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Wear really good shoes for hiking and biking, no flip-flops please. There are many broken ankles each year, and other assorted injuries, while in the park. Read the literature and pay heed to how difficult a trail may be to hike, or when high tide is scheduled.

Most important is to listen to the Park Rangers that are there to make sure that you and the ones you love have a safe vacation. There are multiple spots throughout the park where you can stop and ask questions.

The tragic death of this seven year old girl from New York City reminds us once again that nature, while beautiful, must be deeply respected.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/us/24wave.html?hp

http://www.acadiamagic.com/ThunderHole.html