Michael Davidson Age 49
Memorial for top PA
Published at 13:12, Thursday, 08 October 2009
By Jo DaviesA MEMORIAL service to celebrate the life of a Barrow man killed in a freak car accident in Hawaii will be held this month.
Michael Davison packed more into his 49 years than most, travelling the world as a PA to Hollywood stars Warren Beatty and Nicolas Cage.
He was enjoying a well-earned break after filming The Sorcerer’s Apprentice when the tragedy happened.
A runaway trailer carrying canoes struck his car in Kona, Hawaii, on September 6.
His family in Barrow have since received tributes from friends and associates from across the globe.
The Hollywood Reporter described Mr Davison as “one of the most experienced and respected personal assistants in the entertainment industry”.
The memorial service will be held at the Chetwynde Hotel, in Abbey Road, Barrow, from midday on October 17.
It will be an informal gathering of friends and family, offering their memories and stories of Mr Davison. There will also be food and refreshments.
Mr Davison is survived by his parents Kath and Terry Davison, his brother and sister-in-law Steve and Lynne Davison and sister Heather.
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
A Hawaii County Police officer helps direct Sunday traffic through the center median on Queen Kaahumanu Highway just north of Makala Boulevard in Kailua-Kona after a sport utility vehicle struck a runaway loaded canoe trailer, blocking southbound lanes for most of the morning. - Chelsea Jensen | West Hawaii Today
Tragic weekend on Big Isle roads
Runaway canoe trailer strikes oncoming SUV, killing man
by Chelsea Jensen
West Hawaii Today
cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com
Monday, September 7, 2009 7:05 AM HST
A
49-year-old man died Sunday after his gray Ford sport utility vehicle
was struck by a trailer carrying three large racing canoes that
apparently broke loose from a green Dodge Ram pickup truck on Queen
Kaahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona, said Capt. Sean Sommers, of the
Kailua Fire Station.West Hawaii Today
cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com
Monday, September 7, 2009 7:05 AM HST
The trailer crossed the highway's center median entering the path of oncoming traffic and the loaded trailer hit head-on the SUV driven by the deceased, Sommers said.
Police said one of the canoes crashed through the windshield of the SUV and struck the driver.
That man was wearing his seat belt and suffered significant head injuries. Rescue personnel transported him to Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, where he later died, Sommers said.
As of press time Sunday, police would not release the 49-year-old man's name or his place of residence. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are investigating the accident. A negligent homicide investigation has been opened and an autopsy has been ordered.
Eleven Kailua Fire Station rescue personnel responded to an 8:47 a.m. report of an accident involving a loaded canoe trailer and a vehicle on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, 100 yards north of Makala Boulevard, Sommers said.
Upon arriving at the scene five minutes later, fire officials determined the pickup truck towing a loaded canoe trailer was traveling north when the canoe trailer became detached from the vehicle. The loaded trailer apparently crossed the center median of the highway and entered oncoming southbound traffic, Sommers said.
The five occupants of the pickup truck, which was towing the canoes, were not involved or injured in the crash. Still they were transported to Kona Community Hospital for observation, Sommers said.
Police would not released the name of the pickup truck driver, but said it was a 36-year-old man from Lahaina, Maui.
Queen Kaahumanu Highway's southbound lanes were closed for most of the morning as police investigated the crash. Traffic was diverted by police through the highway's median, forcing no detours.
Though shattered in spots and pushed over the guardrail on the makai side of the highway, the canoes did not appear to have left the trailer.
WHT reporter Carolyn Lucas and Stephens Media reporter John Burnett contributed to this article.
There are 24 comment(s) comments to this story.
spencer wrote on Sep 15, 2009 9:47 PM:
"
Hey Hovrguy - no raw nerve, just want you to think before you write.
Again, you mention "Rumor has it" The cops can't work on rumors because
they will face the PHD engineer in court who will produce formulas etc.
As for HOVE, if its so bad move! "
hovrguy wrote on Sep 15, 2009 7:11 PM:
" Sorry I must have touched a raw nerve; you wouldn't happen to be one of TBI's finest would you? "
spencer wrote on Sep 14, 2009 10:20 PM:
"
hovrguy - how sad for you. Cops from the mainland? You mean the ones
who give point to the 911 sign on their cruisers when you approach to
ask a question? Get real - this needs to be done right. It is apparent
your relatives aren't the victims because you'd be screaming for the
cops to get it right not fast! So if the hitch is too small, who
secured it - driver? passenger? they asserted their rights? You don't
know, that's why they investigate - maybe you can investigate who stole
your brain? "
hovrguy wrote on Sep 13, 2009 6:24 PM:
"
If the rumor is true that the wrong class hitch was being used and that
safety chains were not then that kinda says it all. Maybe the local
cops need to bring in a real cop from the mainland to measure the hitch
ball diameter?
I guess I’m being unfair considering the excellent job of policing they do in Ocean View. "
I guess I’m being unfair considering the excellent job of policing they do in Ocean View. "
spencer wrote on Sep 13, 2009 2:51 PM:
" hovrguy wrote on Sep 13, 2009 7:35 AM:
" I haven't heard that the police have completed their investigation on this accident. What is the delay, this isn't rocket science? All they needed to know was at the scene of the accident that day. I guess this is island style law enforcement... "
Hovrguy prefers the police rush! You realize these types of cases often come down to expert witness for the defense (Professional gunslinger) vs. police officer with lesser training. So if the police aren't completed with the investigation and lose in court then no Problem? "
" I haven't heard that the police have completed their investigation on this accident. What is the delay, this isn't rocket science? All they needed to know was at the scene of the accident that day. I guess this is island style law enforcement... "
Hovrguy prefers the police rush! You realize these types of cases often come down to expert witness for the defense (Professional gunslinger) vs. police officer with lesser training. So if the police aren't completed with the investigation and lose in court then no Problem? "
hovrguy wrote on Sep 13, 2009 7:35 AM:
"
I haven't heard that the police have completed their investigation on
this accident. What is the delay, this isn't rocket science? All they
needed to know was at the scene of the accident that day. I guess this
is island style law enforcement... "
balad1 wrote on Sep 12, 2009 1:53 PM:
" c15683 wrote " A teaching moment...
Wear seatblets! "
What do seat belts have to do with a canoe going through the windshield and a driver not securing his load? "
Wear seatblets! "
What do seat belts have to do with a canoe going through the windshield and a driver not securing his load? "
Naupaka883 wrote on Sep 10, 2009 5:21 PM:
"
The person who quoted my final sentence on last Sunday’s commentary
apparently received a different impression than was its intent: The
word misfortune was aired on the side of the ‘ohana of the
visitor who was killed in this senseless accident (as if any accident
makes sense) as well as for those of the Mahelona, Ng-Leong and Tripp
families who also suffered in the other two horrific crashes over the
holiday week-end. The other sentiments are understood and appreciated
but let’s let the courts apply culpability in regards to criminal
negligence. "
gotpoi1 wrote on Sep 10, 2009 11:08 AM:
"
Wow laulau its sound like there are lots of people witness this
accident, telling there story on this site, guess what why not use your
comment when officer ask for any witness see this happen I hope you all
come forward and dont hide behind your PC and pewck all what you know
in hear doesnt help the people that get hurt or killed, when court
hearing be the first to testify what you see, period. "
balad1 wrote on Sep 8, 2009 7:19 PM:
" Quote: The ball on the truck was 1 7/8 inch, the hitch on the trailor was 2 inch. No safety chain was in place.
As I predicted, with a properly equipped and operated towing rig a breakaway can not happen.
A man's life is lost and a family is devastated because of the stupidity of this driver.
I believe it’s called manslaughter, let’s see what the police and state calls it. "
As I predicted, with a properly equipped and operated towing rig a breakaway can not happen.
A man's life is lost and a family is devastated because of the stupidity of this driver.
I believe it’s called manslaughter, let’s see what the police and state calls it. "
punatic8 wrote on Sep 8, 2009 2:05 PM:
" From members of the paddling community:
The ball on the truck was 1 7/8 inch, the hitch on the trailor was 2 inch. No safety chain was in place.
A tragic, unsafe rig.
Speed was not excessive, but remember the trailor and three (400lb) canoes weighed more than a ton. Lethal at any speed when combined with the speed of the unsuspecting SUV approaching from the other direction.
No word on alcohol involvement. "
The ball on the truck was 1 7/8 inch, the hitch on the trailor was 2 inch. No safety chain was in place.
A tragic, unsafe rig.
Speed was not excessive, but remember the trailor and three (400lb) canoes weighed more than a ton. Lethal at any speed when combined with the speed of the unsuspecting SUV approaching from the other direction.
No word on alcohol involvement. "
bugmenot wrote on Sep 8, 2009 11:59 AM:
"
This is very very sad. A tragic weekend. I saw this accident on Sat. an
hour after it happened - the SUV was very badly beat up; like it had
flipped multiple times. The canoes must have been flying at a high rate
of speed, or they must have had some momentum to be able to cross the
gravel median. If alcohol was being consumed that early in the morning,
and if it is the reason for the trailer not being properly hitched then
this is more than just a freak accident "
gotpoi1 wrote on Sep 8, 2009 11:39 AM:
"
Alcohol and ignorants does killed someone, Its been done it happen I
bet this people before this happen they said to tem self it wont happen
to me I`m a good driver, all I can say is be agresive driver and
maintain and fallow road speed, cause there are driver on the road that
they straight there neck whos coming towards them to see who is tha
driver and when they do that it keep on eye on the dericyion there
goin. the law said agresive driver is bad, not the way I drive never
been of anykind of accident. "
local12 wrote on Sep 8, 2009 9:12 AM:
" Was the driver of the Dodge checked for alcohol?
Lots of alcohol consumed at awards ceremony on Sat and Sun. It would be sad if alcohol contributed to another sad death with 4 killed previously via alcohol this weekend. "
Lots of alcohol consumed at awards ceremony on Sat and Sun. It would be sad if alcohol contributed to another sad death with 4 killed previously via alcohol this weekend. "
gatekeeper96740 wrote on Sep 8, 2009 5:19 AM:
"
I was driving behind the van and saw the unhitched boat coming across
the road.Your brain doesn't function right at those times so my brain
first thought was where is the truck?
I slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road and I saw it hit the van.
My passengers started to cry.I sat there stunned. "
I slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road and I saw it hit the van.
My passengers started to cry.I sat there stunned. "
ypo wrote on Sep 7, 2009 8:51 PM:
"
This was indeed a very tragic event. My aloha to the victims. So all
you IDIOTS who drink and drive stop now!!!! This could have been your
wife, daughter, son, grandma, grandpa,etc. Sometimes unfortunately some
people don't get it unless it happens close to home. "
redman wrote on Sep 7, 2009 8:15 PM:
"
There all tragic but, the Waimea deaths are also criminal if they were
truly drinking. Relatives on the news said they were. Drunk driving
needs to stop. Forget the seatbelt traps. We all know the usual
drinking after work areas and weekend spots, get them there. "
balad1 wrote on Sep 7, 2009 7:42 PM:
"
Quote: "This misfortune, along with shocking loss of Jesse Mahelona
early Saturday and three more in Waimea that evening, has marred the
Labour Day holiday for our community."
This is not a misfortune, it is criminal negligence on the part of the truck operator. As I stated before, with a properly outfitted and operated truck and trailer it is not possible for the trailer to totally breakaway. "
This is not a misfortune, it is criminal negligence on the part of the truck operator. As I stated before, with a properly outfitted and operated truck and trailer it is not possible for the trailer to totally breakaway. "
Naupaka883 wrote on Sep 7, 2009 6:00 PM:
"
My heart and prayers go to na ‘ohana involved in this tragic accident.
I passed through the scene around two o’clock Sunday; the vehicles were
already cleared from the roadway but still on location. Reading the
account of the incident, one must ask how fast the Dodge Ram was
traveling to permit the breakaway trailer to be propelled across such a
wide dirt central reservation and enter the Kona-bound traffic lanes.
This misfortune, along with shocking loss of Jesse Mahelona early
Saturday and three more in Waimea that evening, has marred the Labour
Day holiday for our community. "
balad1 wrote on Sep 7, 2009 12:51 PM:
"
There is no way that this trailer would have come loose if it was
equipped with the property hitch, safety chains and if used properly.
Someone is in deep kimchee! "
Someone is in deep kimchee! "
xyz123 wrote on Sep 7, 2009 9:19 AM:
" This story is so heartbreaking. Blessings to all involved. "
hovrguy wrote on Sep 16, 2009 7:25 AM: