Rollerblade accident turns fatal

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- A 33-year-old woman died Wednesday night, two days

after she had crashed skating down a steep hill without a helmet.

Karen Udell of Newport Beach suffered major head injuries from a fall

she took Monday afternoon at the intersection of Jamboree Road and

Bayside Drive. Udell succumbed to her injuries shortly after 8 p.m.

Wednesday at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

Udell was reportedly a good in-line skater and was out alone for an

afternoon of exercise when the accident happened at the bottom of the

steep hill that connects East Coast Highway and Balboa Island.

She was traveling at a high rate of speed -- possibly 30 mph -- when

she tried to make a gradual right-hand turn onto Bayside. Several

witnesses who saw the accident told police that Udell tried the brakes on

her Rollerblades but she was going too fast.

“She tried to slow down and brake but it wasn’t enough to stop her

descent,” said Newport Beach Sgt. Mike McDermott.

Udell fell into the westbound lane, striking her head on the pavement.

Motorists, who managed to avoid Udell, later assisted the skater.

Police added that Udell wasn’t wearing any protective equipment,

including a helmet that could have prevented the serious head injuries

she suffered.

According to the state’s vehicle code, children are required to wear

helmets when skating but adults are not.

Rollerblades have become more noticeable in beach communities the past

several years. Along with bicycles and skateboards, Rollerblades are a

popular way for beachgoers to travel.

On any given day, novices can be seen trying to keep their balance on

the in-line skates while decked out in elbow pads, knee pads and helmets.

However, most experienced in-line skaters who cruise the boardwalk go

without protective gear.

“I’ve had a few scrapes but nothing really serious,” said Jeff

Montgomery of Huntington Beach, who was skating on the boardwalk

Thursday. “It took some time for me to master the skates but now it’s

pretty much a breeze.

“It’s sad someone died but I don’t think I would be going down a hill

like that one. You pick up some pretty good speed and if you have an old

pair of blades, the brakes might be worn out.”

McDermott couldn’t comment on the condition of Udell’s skates.