Thursday, May 24, 2007

Man drives golf cart off cliff

A 65-year-old Irvine man was killed in front of three friends Tuesday morning when he rode his golf cart over a 75-foot-high cliff and crashed down onto Old Highway 395, authorities said.

The crash happened at 10 a.m. at the Pala Mesa Resort golf course north of Highway 76, said California Highway Patrol Officer Tom Kerns. Authorities got the first 911 calls just four minutes later.

"It's a sheer drop of 75 feet with rock outcroppings, a sheer rock face," Kerns said. "He rode down on the golf cart most of the way until it overturned near the bottom part."

North County Fire Protection District spokesman John Buchanan said that firefighters tried to administer lifesaving efforts, but the man was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was hurt.

The medical examiner's officer said the man was identified as Edwin Payne, who is survived by his wife, Clara Payne, he said.

Kerns said the horrific scene happened in front of Payne's former co-workers. Payne had joined the group of three men, who were in town for an industry conference. All worked in the real estate industry.

Full Story: NC TIMES.COM

No comments: