No more rescue at the gap?

CasterTroy · 09-30-2009, 10:55 AM

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2...e-tail-dragon/

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 30, 2009

ROBBINSVILLE
Motorcyclists in western North Carolina should take note. Beginning next year, emergency help on the Swain County route known as the "Tail of the Dragon" will take longer to arrive.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Graham County is ending its ambulance service into Swain County to respond to wrecks on the well-known motorcycle route on U.S. 129.

The road starts in Blount County, Tenn., and packs 318 curves in 11 miles.

It takes about 22 minutes for an ambulance to get to that part of U.S. 129 in Swain County from Robbinsville in Graham County. It can take as long as 50 minutes to get there from Bryson City in Swain County.

County leaders say they used to get few emergency calls for the route but now get about 30 a year, at cost of about $100,000 annually.

tached1000rr · 09-30-2009, 10:56 AM

interesting....

shmike · 09-30-2009, 11:02 AM

Interesting.

I love how it sounds like only motorcycles ride on or have accidents at the Gap.

Tmall · 09-30-2009, 11:03 AM

How is that legal or ethical?

Trip · 09-30-2009, 11:13 AM

This is a complete failure in reporting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmall

How is that legal or ethical?

Swain contracts Graham county to respond to accidents. Swain won't pay the full cost of what it takes to service this area, so Graham told them to suck it and do it yourself if you won't pay for it. Swain now has to provide emergency services since it is their land or pay out what it takes to respond. They aren't going to cut off emergency services, it will just take longer to get to you if you go down.

Graham gets all the tax for the gap, so it's their responsibility to serve it unless they want to annex it to Swain, but then they would lose the tax.

CrazyKell · 09-30-2009, 11:14 AM

Isn't the cost of the emergency vehicles covered by insurance?

z06boy · 09-30-2009, 11:18 AM

So why doesn't the popo do the same. ?

Trip · 09-30-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z06boy

So why doesn't the popo do the same. ?

the popo already comes from swain if it is local. The NCHP covers multiple counties so it doesnt matter.

z06boy · 09-30-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

the popo already comes from swain if it is local. The NCHP covers multiple counties so it doesnt matter.

I was just joking...what I meant was...in an effort to save money...the popo should just stay away and not patrol the area.

Trip · 09-30-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z06boy

I was just joking...what I meant was...in an effort to save money...the popo should just stay away and not patrol the area.

They already pretty much do on the NC side. They don't care. It's the TN side that is going nuts. I hardly ever see a NC cop up there.

09-30-2009, 10:55 AM	#1
CasterTroy ................ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,028	No more rescue at the gap? http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2...e-tail-dragon/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: September 30, 2009 ROBBINSVILLE Motorcyclists in western North Carolina should take note. Beginning next year, emergency help on the Swain County route known as the "Tail of the Dragon" will take longer to arrive. The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that Graham County is ending its ambulance service into Swain County to respond to wrecks on the well-known motorcycle route on U.S. 129. The road starts in Blount County, Tenn., and packs 318 curves in 11 miles. It takes about 22 minutes for an ambulance to get to that part of U.S. 129 in Swain County from Robbinsville in Graham County. It can take as long as 50 minutes to get there from Bryson City in Swain County. County leaders say they used to get few emergency calls for the route but now get about 30 a year, at cost of about $100,000 annually. __________________ “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.” Viktor Frankl

09-30-2009, 11:02 AM	#3
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	Interesting. I love how it sounds like only motorcycles ride on or have accidents at the Gap. __________________ Racing For Smiles

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09-30-2009, 10:56 AM	#2
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	interesting....

09-30-2009, 11:03 AM	#4
Tmall Aspiring Rapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Moto: '12 CB1000R Posts: 3,569	How is that legal or ethical?

09-30-2009, 11:14 AM	#6
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	Isn't the cost of the emergency vehicles covered by insurance?

09-30-2009, 11:18 AM	#7
z06boy Letzroll Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Norman area, NC Moto: 07 Red R1 & 07 Blue R6 Posts: 5,265	So why doesn't the popo do the same. ?