Utility vehicles and golf carts have proliferated greatly in the last decade among institutional and commercial facilities looking to maximize the flexibility and reliability of the vehicles. Organizations have used them to help grounds crews carry out landscaping tasks, as well as to move visitors and occupants around large campuses. As with any large vehicle, though, utility vehicles and golf carts can present safety risks.
A 60-year-old Disneyland employee died recently after a golf cart crash at the theme park in Anaheim, California. Police and fire officials responded to a report of a traffic collision that happened in the backstage area, according to USA Today. Investigators learned the employee fell out of the moving golf cart and hit her head.
The employee reportedly worked at Club 33, an exclusive, private membership club in the New Orleans Square at the resort, serving in membership support services. Lear was transferred to a local hospital in grave condition and was pronounced dead two days later.
As the Orange County Register reported, a Disney California Adventure Attractions cast member made a social media post saying Lear was in the rear-facing seat of the golf cart that was carrying three other people. According to the Facebook post cited by the outlet, when the cart hit a bump, "she went to grab the handrail," but it "gave way and sent her out of the vehicle.”
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
