59. Camp O’Neal

3 boys died, several teachers and rescuers died. Like the Danish boarding school over on the “Devil’s Island” the managers of Camp O’Neal liked outdoor activities during the winter. Unlike the rescue of the Danish student which involved all helicopters owned by the Danish defense and all hospitals in that part of my country, the accident in California ended in death of no less than 3 students.

I found a youtube video which you can watch here. It promotes a book about the tragedy.

The owner was fined and banned from ever running a program like this in California. This prevented her not from opening a new program in another state.

Unfair? Yes.

It couldn’t have been fun to be at this program for a teenager.

Sources:

• Book on Convict Lake drowning accident both heals, hurts (Mammoth Times)
• Camp O’Neal Has History of Violating State Rules (Los Angeles Times)
• Factsheet of the program (Fornits Wiki)