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another_local (anonymous) says...

Guy,

This is a terrible accident and one that will impact this community. Why does it seem to you that there must be an explanation other than the one in the story?

I am curious about your insinuation that the "truth" has not come to light in the story as written. What makes you suspect something sinister or culpable in the actions of anyone else?

Sounds to me more like you are setting up an emotional distress claim for people who happened to see this tragedy.

February 29, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoatMaster (anonymous) says...

Guy Womack

I agree about the terrible tragedy for Eric, may he be in a better place.

But I am a little ill at you salivating over your potential lawsuit. I am sure the Trial Lawyers "American Association for Justice - Ha Ha" are all doing a little dance and deciding how to split the proceeds from the impending lawsuit!

You have set up your position against the Grand wonderfully. Your peers should be proud of you.

February 29, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bartender (anonymous) says...

.

February 29, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seeuski (anonymous) says...

BoatMaster,
Your first post, which was deleted, says all one needs to know about you.

February 29, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

id04sp (anonymous) says...

Womack ("Mr." omitted intentionally) represented Charles A. Graner, Jr., who was one of several charged by the Army in connection with the 20032004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. Womack lost the case.

Womack is a retired Lieutenant Colonel who served in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps. The major hazard faced by members of the JAG corps is paper cuts. It's even safer than being a Chaplain. It's not anything like the TV show.

I'd encourage all of you to read the full content of the following link to see what kind of person Womack chose to represent, and .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_...

February 29, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoatMaster (anonymous) says...

To the Steamboat Pilot

I am glad you removed my first comment. That comment was written without malice when you posted the first article which was only two paragraphs long.

You made the decison to re-write the existing article and put more information in it such as the fact Eric died. This changed the whole content of the article so posts that were already written may or may not have been appropriate.

It might be up for consideration that a seperate article should be written instead of changing a existing article? I post this for discussion.

Anyway, thanks for taking my comment down. With your re-writing the article it became inapropriate.

February 29, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoatMaster (anonymous) says...

Seeuski

Don't be a dink.

My first post was put up when the article only said a person slipped from a roof. It did not say he was dead or anything else.

February 29, 2008 at 6:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

id04sp (anonymous) says...

. . . and view his comments in light of his choice of causes to defend.

February 29, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

really (anonymous) says...

Isn't there a Judge O'Hara here? Are he and Eric related?

February 29, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoatMaster (anonymous) says...

Seeuski

Let me guess, you are a lawyer. Ha Ha.

February 29, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

steamboat_livin (anonymous) says...

Guy-
You are just a typical tourist that does not take into consideration that this is not a large city but a small community that is going to be hurting from this for a long time. I do not understand why you think that there has to be this larger than life explanation for what is a tragic accident. Just a little information for you, Eric was not an employee of the steamboat grand or the steamboat ski area. He worked for a private snow removal company. So that really shoots down your claim that this is a big cover up to make sure that the ski area isn't liable. I believe that you Guy, are what's wrong with this world today, always looking for something bad, and a way to bring attention to your self in a time of grief. Shame on you! Its always hard when we loose a member of our community buts it is much harder when they are so young. My heart and prayers goes out to the O'Hara Family and all of his friends that Eric leaves behind. Hopefully Eric is riding that Champagne powder for eternity.

February 29, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bloggyblog (anonymous) says...

in all sincerity,my heartfelt condolences to friends and family.

February 29, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KPO (anonymous) says...

Rest in peace buddy. You will be greatly missed.

February 29, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoatMaster (anonymous) says...

I see these guys all the time and worry about them falling. I usually look to see if they have the safety line visible.

Hope for the best.

February 28, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

jester1cp,
I hope this is not anyone you know! However, it is a hazzard of the snow removal occupation. True.

February 28, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

BM,
Good call! I wonder where tis guys life line was?

February 28, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

BM,
Good call! I wonder where this guys life line was? Grammatical errors, aah! Sorry.

February 28, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

spukomy (anonymous) says...

He was apparently strapped in. Either the line had too much slack or otherwise failed him. I see these guys often at the Grand and they are always strapped. Darn shame.

February 28, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mountaingirl33 (anonymous) says...

My God be with this person's family, friends and co-workers- I heard via wittness account one of the other workers may have seen this happen, and is needless to say shaken to the core.

Many of our roofs here in Steamboat need to be shovled due to the snow load. We hope this does not happen again, I can say we are all relieved when we see these workers "tied in" it's a dangerous job. Thanks to those of you who do this every winter.

February 28, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

agbi (anonymous) says...

May you rest in peace Eric. We love you and you will always be in our prayers and in our thoughts!
XOXO
A.G. and B.I.

February 28, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

D_Icer (anonymous) says...

Eric you were an outstanding person and will truly be missed. More than a friend to me and all of steamboat. This is a horrible accident and to think you were fighting for our country in Iraq just 2 months ago. Man i will miss you!!! much love to your family.....RIP

February 28, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seeuski (anonymous) says...

Prayers go out to this great Americans family.
God Bless.

February 28, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

christybuddy (Christy Bubenheim) says...

So sad, too many deaths, tragically, my thoughts are with his family and friends.

February 28, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Jf3 (anonymous) says...

This is such an incredible tragedy to an absolulely wonderful young man. Eric was a very dear friend from high school and my heart goes out to his family and all of his friends. I know that we will all miss him so much. Eric was an amazing friend, brother, and person. I am proud of all that he has done and sad that he will never get to do those things he always wanted to do. After he made it safely home from multiple tours of duty, I would never have thought his life would end so suddenly. Eric, we love you and we will miss you.

February 28, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

steamboatsprings (anonymous) says...

I am so sorry to see such a good man die needlessly. My condolences to the family. Maybe now they will have to fix the roofs at the Grand. They have been a hazard since they were built. Les Otten and his Florida architect should be held accountable.

February 28, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Beanie32 (anonymous) says...

My prayers are with this family in their grief even though I don't know them. God bless you and thank you for raising a good American patriot.

February 28, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jjohn (anonymous) says...

My thoughts and prayers go out to the O'Hara family, Eric has always been an incredible person, friend, and soldier. Though I haven't spoken with Eric in years, he will be greatly missed. I was shoveling off a similar roof in Big Sky today, this really hits home. Thanks for all the laughs and good times Eric, you will be missed.

February 28, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gwomack (anonymous) says...

Young Veteran Deserves Better

Within minutes of checking into the Steamboat Grand Resort & Hotel, this afternoon, my daughter called from her and her husband's room to inform me of the accident scene, outside their window.

They had heard a loud noise, and when they looked out the window, they saw the drama unfolding in the aftermath of Eric O'Hara's fall from the roof directly above their room.

When we were in the lobby of the resort, about an hour later, we inquired of his condition, only to be told by staff that we should "read about it in tomorrow's paper." None of the several staff members we spoke with would give any information about Eric's condition.

When I read, tonight, in the Pilot's online news the story of this tragedy, it saddened me beyond description, and the follow-on attempt at blaming Eric for his fall angered me beyond words!

As a retired Officer of Marines, I make no apology for the fact that I find it especially painful when a veteran dies in such a way. Eric O'Hara had left this idyllic community and served his country during a time of war. Indeed, when he joined the Army, he was well aware of the dangers that faced him during his time of service.

It is of no small irony that he completed his combat tour in Iraq, only to die in a tragic accident at a luxurious resort in paradise.

But the official story tendered as to how he died, essentially blaming him for his own demise, is so self-serving for the hotel and his employer that it appears unworthy of belief.

The reports, made simultaneously with the attempts by the authorities to notify his family of his death, appear more geared to attempting to shield the employer and the hotel from legal liability for his death -- and the potentially significant amount of money that their insurers would have to pay his grieving family -- than a fair and truthful explanation of the tragedy.

Another irony is that my family and I are here, along with dozens of my colleagues, for a conference of the American Association for Justice -- formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America -- America's pre-eminent association of trial lawyers, and that we are headquartered in the Grand Hotel itself.

My sincere hope is that, during the coming months, the truth about this terrible accident come to light, and most of all, that Eric's family find peace in the tremendous loss they and this community have suffered by his untimely death.

Respectfully,

Guy Womack
Houston, Texas

February 28, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

housepoor (anonymous) says...

it is a tragedy. I also thought it was a little out of the norm that the corner was the one who told the paper the details of fall so soon and without more investigation?

February 29, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bartender (anonymous) says...

Selah.

February 29, 2008 at 4:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bingohappy (anonymous) says...

Eric was an awesome young man, typical of many steamboat kids who kind of struggled for a just a little while, then a light came on and Bam, an excellent Young Man emerged! I for one was proud to see what he had become, I write this through tear filled eyes, this is heartbreaking!

February 29, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

daboatkid (anonymous) says...

RIP buddy. Two tours serving our country and this is what you get? We all hope you are in a better place now. RIP Irish!

February 29, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

chris_barber (anonymous) says...

I was Eric O'hara's Platoon Leader. He served for 15 months with distinction, not 6 weeks in Iraq. In addition, he was serving a year beyond his commitment to the Army, postponing finishing his undergraduate degree which made his service that much more honorable. He enlisted after 9/11 to serve his country and on numerous occasions even volunteered to go to Iraq to no avail. Finally our unit got deployed where Eric flourished as a soldier, a team member, and a friend. He took many risks when fighting the enemy and showed more courage than most will every encounter. He was the kind of soldier you could always count on and the entire Platoon often did. He would always exceed my expectations when given positions of greater responsibility; he would have been very successful in anything he did after his Army career. He was the kind of guy I would have been great friends with if we didn't already have a working relationship. I know from stories I heard, he was a great friend that you could count on.

Eric, we're going to miss you. You're a great American and did a great service to your country. It was a pleasure serving with you. Red Bulls forever.

Sincerely,

CPT Chris Barber

February 29, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

Bingo,
Your right about Eric. I have worked with too many of our kids who have now departed this world, inluding Eric. I still can not get over the ill feelings and sorrow I feel for each life that's been lost over my years here. I am a vet as well and this hits me deeper than anything.

Boatmaster,
I hope you will learn not to be so fast to comment with off colored and tasteless points of view!

gwomack,
As for our Texas vet visitor, I believe your sincerity about this tragedy. I believe you were expressing like a true lawyer, the reality of legal issues that could arise from this. Oooh rah! Semper-Fi to you! Boatmaster gets diarrhea of fingers and brain in commentaries!

February 29, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

ido4sp,
NO BODY CARES RIGHT NOW! Eric and this tragedy are the focus here! You and Boatmaster need to hook up!

February 29, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steamboatsense (anonymous) says...

What a shame. Guy puts his life on the line for his country and ends up this way.

March 1, 2008 at 5:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

daytripper (anonymous) says...

I would like to thank you CPT Barber for your very touching and kind post. It gave light to the man Eric had become these last few years.

My son was good friends with Eric growing up, and I will remember him smiling. I was so happy he had found a path for himself. He was always kind, polite and gracious in our home.
Our community has lost a brave friend.
You will be missed, but we will keep your spirit alive.
God bless your soul Eric!

February 29, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tysonvoyek (anonymous) says...

irish i love loved you man. 1st drinks on me your boy voy

February 29, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

BoatMaster (anonymous) says...

MtnWarlock

You posted to me saying "I hope you will learn not to be so fast to comment with off colored and tasteless points of view!" Where did you get this from?? Are you saying my post that was removed was off colored and tasteless.

I am guessing you never saw the post. Here is what it was. The Pilot had a small two paragraph article that said someone fell off a roof shoveling snow. I said one word in my post and that word was "ouch". This word is not off color or tasteless towards THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE. If someone fell off my roof and only hurt himself slightly the comment "ouch" would not be a problem.

The problem occured when the pilot CHANGED THE ARTICLE to be a much more tragic situation. This STILL DOES NOT MAKE MY COMMENT OFF COLOR but I agree with the changed article it became tasteless. Therefore I thanked the pilot for removing it.

Now you come along and scold me for an off color comment??......Get a clue, I'm sure you did not even read it.

Remember the comments about the duck from the record? If the pilot changed to article to say the duck ended up causing a tragedy to other humans all the comments would be in your opinion off color and tasteless.

I don't need to get a little lesson from yourself when I offered my apologies for the post already.

As for getting together with id04sp I would be happy to meet that person along with yourself.

The real tragedy is ERIC. He was everything positive that is being posted here and the loss is great. A terrrible accident for all those involved.

February 29, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Jf3 (anonymous) says...

I would like to second what daboatkid said. This petty bantering between you people overshadows the real tragedy here and is absolutely disrespectful to Eric's family and friends. As a "local" who spent my entire life in the Boat, and who has known Eric for years, I am devastated by his death, and I know that pain is shared by many. And as a law student, I too read the article as a way of transferring the blame to Eric. Yes, he was unclipped and sadly that was what ultimately led to the fall, but the fact that he used only one carabiner instead of two is totally irrelevant. It makes Eric appear careless and irresponsible - two things (especially after spending months/years in combat) Eric was not.

I do not believe that Mr. Womack's comment was evidence of him or any other lawyers at the conference "salivating" at the thought of the lawsuit, nor does his status of a "tourist" nullify the fact that the story unnecessarily and completely shifted the blame to Eric. I don't think that Eric's family is concerned with a lawsuit, or interested in blaming anyone.

I think what happened was a tragic accident and I wish the Pilot would have just portrayed it as such. Eric's friends and family though are not interested in bickering over these issues, and are more interested in remembering their son, brother, boyfriend, friend, and comrade. CPT Barber speaks accurately to Eric's character, and the outpouring of comments and support will only further show what an amazing person Eric was and how much he will truly be missed.

Please let Eric's friends and family mourn the loss of a wonderful young man, and save your unnecessary and petty squabbles for a later time.

February 29, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

Boatmaster,
Thanks for the clarification! I have a clue more than you think! Your speedy approach to comment on this blew up in your face! This forum could use some humor in it. We "all" can be guilty of being "anal" and "twisted' in opinion, including me! I think you stepped in at the wrong time. I'm not trying to be your parent! Your timing was just "not" impeccable! I called it like it was at the time. Not everyone heard this unfold in front of them, like I did. I believe your sincerity. Sorry about kicking you when you were down! Your follow up posting should of been better observed by "ME". Tongue lashing taken, apology made. In light of this misfortune, have a good day!

February 29, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Benny (anonymous) says...

What a horrible tragedy. I would like to just say Thank You to Eric for his service and God Bless his family and friends who are mourning.

February 29, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

davidlamb (anonymous) says...

I lost a brother yesterday, my family lost a new son, America lost a hero and my sister lost the only thing she cared about. Anyone who reads this please understand you have to be remember him for who he was and what he did and support those who need it with love. I want to ask the paper to please honor him with an article befitting of a hero and friend.

February 29, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MtnWarlock (anonymous) says...

davidlamb,
My condolences. :-(

Mike,
Your right, thanks!

February 29, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kayapup (anonymous) says...

boatmaster, a man is dead, let him rest in peace. Keep your idiotic comments to yourself

February 29, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

blackthroatedwind (anonymous) says...

My God! So sad! Rest in Peace Eric. Simple words cannot express my gratitude for your service to our country, and my grief over your senseless death.

February 29, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

424now (anonymous) says...

Much respect for a soldier and a citizen. God rest your soul.

February 29, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bbanning (anonymous) says...

RIP!
You will be missed by all. Your friend!
Brian Banning and Family

February 29, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

SalDRedBull (anonymous) says...

i have been reading alot of these posts and my condolences to eric's family and friends, i happen to be one of those friends i am disgusted at some of the comments that were left on here, a man that i served with in iraq for 15 months is gone,prior to knowing what had happened me and my buddies back at the unit were just talking about him, how funny he was, and how he could always make you laugh when you were upset, he was one of my mentors when i first came into the army along with MAC and they showed me the right and wrong way to do things a truly genuine person, i hated to see him leave the army i wanted him to stay until i had to leave he was just that cool to be around and anyone who knew him could vouch for that, but i know it was time for him to move on and accomplish other things in life as he did in the military, this is a very tragic incedent, and i wish he was still here but he is with god now and he is at peace, and im not saying his death was a good thing, but i rather him go to the lord on his home soil then on foreign soil
I Love You Bro, i'll see you when i get there, R.I.P. eric REDBULLS FOREVER!

February 29, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

agrimes (Amanda Grimes) says...

TO ALL OF THOSE WHO KNEW ERIC AND LOVED ERIC
I am very sorry about your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you!!

February 29, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

julie3kirton (anonymous) says...

O'Hara,
My dear friend, you will forever be missed. You will never know all of the lives that you touched, in so many ways. You were the most honorable man, witty, fun and outgoing, encouraging, helping, and you always had the ability to cheer anyone in the world up. If ever I needed advice you were the one to seek it from. I will miss your smile, your jokes, your late night calls, but most importantly your friendship. I don't know how such a tragedy happened to you, but surely god has a great plan. I am thankful to have shared your love. Rest in peace soldier! Love you always EO!
JAK

February 29, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

airmanpat (anonymous) says...

Eric,
We as a community miss you so so much! You were such a great friend and soldier to all who knew you! I still can't believe your gone.... Home so soon and already it was your time. I grieve for your family. Enjoy the luxuries of Heaven and I'll be seeing you! Rest in Peace, young man! Ohh-Rah!!

February 29, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bartender (anonymous) says...

Wow. I have been at a loss of words. Now that things have calmed down here I can pull some together.

I have a dear friend that has a tattoo. The reason he got is has a heart felt story that is personal to him, so I wont share that. But the words are simple. Cherish the Gift that is Life. A tragedy like this doesn't teach us that lesson, however it reminds us of this great gift. Friend or stranger, we and you, are all a gift to each other, never to be taken for granted. Eric was a stranger to me, but the gift that was his life to everyone that knew him has touched my life in a profound way. I have sat with friends of his over the past day, and listened, talked and cried. I thank Eric for that gift that he shared. That life he lived that was a gift to us all.

God bless.

February 29, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

adambeaupre (anonymous) says...

Everyone who grew up in Steamboat or knew Eric has lost something...someone great. Eric amazed me with the man he had become. I wish the best for all involved. It eats me up inside that something so tragic could happen to Eric. My prayers go out to his family.

March 1, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )