Reader comments
Tropic girl rests with ancestors

He Should Have Known Better | 7:24 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Anybody can have their dumb moments, heaven knows I've had mine. that said,

this accident was not the run of the mill accident, it was very avoidable.

1. not staying in your lane, or taking up the whole street.

2. having a warning car there for protection, but placing the warning car in the front of the hard cart company instead of in the rear where it cold have done some good.

3. Putting a hand cart company on a road in the first place, and with children who don't have enough sense to evaluate the risks.

All these things are wrong and the grandfather who put himself and his family through this did a very regrettable and avoidable thing.

samhill | 8:51 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Very, very tragic. Especially because it was so completely unnecessary.

Drivers have responsibilities | 8:58 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

The driver said he couldn't see them because he was blinded by the sun.

It's hard for me to believe that someone thinks it's a good idea to keep driving when you can't see where you're going.

Comments continue below

K | 9:25 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

And you know they were in the "whole street" because:???

All of the articles state taht Mr. Seely "stepped out into the road" to try to get the driver to "slow down".

Sounds to me like there were mistakes on both sides.

I'm so tired of the comments on these forums (not specifically this one...)about how dumb the families were.

They all will regret this for the rest of their lives. I don't think they'd appreciate reading these comments here.

condolences | 9:59 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

This seems like an appropriate time to let the family know that we are sorry for their loss and their pain instead of being know-it-all's about everything.

I agree with K who is tired of the comments. The anonymity of the internet brings out some horrible features in people. Let's try to play nice.

I am so sorry for this tragic accident and hope the family finds comfort in the memories of their precious daughter.

Anonymous | 10:36 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

To he should have known better.

You know all about it because you were there??????

It is OK to drive when you are blinded?????

TO K: | 11:22 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Don't you realize, the people who post here are brilliant, capable of taking an incomplete newspaper account of an incident, and immediately deducing exactly what happened and who is to blame? Their own perfection justifies them second-guessing anyone they can tell made a mistake. It's amazing. Man, I wish I had that ability. But until I develop it, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the two young people killed.

Don't blame the driver. | 12:13 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

If everyone stopped when the sun was glaring, you would have miles of stopped traffic going to and from work. I will not make this comment a blame game, because we are all human and we all make mistakes. While watching the gymnastics this week, some people who are perfect in their routine would slip, fall, loose balance etc. They are the best that there is, yet they could not do it perfectly. This family was doing something the best they could, but they could not do it perfectly. The driver was doing his best, but he could not do it perfectly. Sadly this didn't cost these people a medal, it cost them the loss of life. I hope that all involved will find peace and comfort and that they will not punish themselves.

ken | 12:32 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Hancarts are wider than people. I haven't read anywhere that the driver was zipping along despite that fact he couldn't see. I find it hard to believe that anyone who's ever driven a car hasn't experienced that MOMENTARY sun blindness. You immediately slow down and adjust your visor. Luckily we usually don't find major obstacles in the roadway at that same time. I feel sad for her parents. They weren't even there. They may have been the voice of reason to warn the others of their stupidity and maybe put a stop to this foolishness. They trusted other adults to protect their precious daughter and those adults failed miserably and now she's dead. I mean how dumb to put the warning car in FRONT. Common sense tells you the greater danger is behind you and a car stands a better chance than a handcart if a collision occurred. Of course, common sense was in short supply.

Anne T. | 1:52 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

Hannah looks like she was a lovely talented girl. I'm so very sorry that she is gone.
I have personally known people from Tropic, Utah, and they are some of the finest, most realistic, people that you will ever fine anywhere in UT. The Tropic people take their LDS religion and pioneer heritage quite seriously, and theses people also work very hard for everything they have and own.

My prayers and blessing go to Hannah and her family.

re: to K1122 | 3:01 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

YOU need to read more clearly. It wasn't two young people killed. Of course you can't figure out what happened if you have no common sense or the ability to comprehend what you read.

David | 3:19 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

It is nice to finely see a beautiful picture of this sweet, special, little girl, Hannah. I kept looking for her picture in the Deseret News, obituaries, but we never saw her listed.

God bless Hannah's family. My deepest heartfelt sympathies and condolences.

Susan | 3:44 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

My daughter plays violin too. She and Hannah were in a Suzuki class together this summer. We are so sad! Hannah was a lovely, sweet girl. What a loss.

Eva | 4:03 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

My condolences to the family of Hannah. I don't think this is a place to argue about who was wrong or who was right. The older man, Montell, and young girl (Hannah Wagstaff) were two very fine LDS people who have lost their lives due to in an unfortunate "accident".

to condolences and K | 4:51 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

The anonymity of the internet also allows caring people to vent their anger and frustration over another senseless death of a child due to adults being incredibly stupid. It happens waaaay to much in this state and frankly I am so sick and tired of these types of tragic stories. I know there are many others who feel the same way I do. It would be VERY innapropriate for people to vent their anger directly to the faces of the people involved or to send them hate mail. That is cruel. These forums are NOT just for expressing sympathy. Every online obituary has a guest book attached to send condolences. Most mortuaries also offer a way to send sympathy via the internet. These forums are for people to comment on the story. If some are offended at criticism directed at those involved, then so be it. If it really bugs you then don't read them. You have no right to chastise those who are using their freedom of speech in a private way. I won't chastise you for your opinion that the adults have every right to do whatever they please, regardless of the outcome, don't criticize mine.

A Blessing | 5:33 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

In this time of suffering, may God bless both of the handcart families as well as the individual who accidentally caused their deaths.

May you feel the Savior's peace and hope in the days and years to come.

Holly Mullen | 5:47 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

I did not make the connection of Hannah to Clay and Rebecca Wagstaff until I read this story. I had the good fortune to meet Rebecca, Hannah's mother, about five years ago as I traveled through Tropic collecting stories from rural Utah as a newspaper columnist. She welcomed me into their lovely pioneer-era home, showed me some of her paintings and talked lovingly about her family. It was a fine afternoon. This is simply a lovely family and I'm so sorry for their loss. I love how simple they have made funeral arrangements for their little girl. And Tropic is a wonderful little town. I have no doubt the friends and neighbors there will ease the Wagstaffs' pain.

Blue | 6:58 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

This whole thing is very sad and it is even worse knowing this family said they will probably do the trek again. I hope not! I hope this sends a message to the wards that we do too many of these treks. Honor the pioneers in other ways. (Like writting a play)

Diane | 7:56 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

I have driven through Tropic, UT. on several occasions and the people there truly have the Mormon pioneer spirit with them.
What a beautiful town for Hannah Wagstaff to grow up in. Hannah's photo in this paper shows just what a lovely girl she was. I can see that she will truly be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

My deep condolences to the family.

To: To condolences and K | 10:22 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

So YOU are the arbiter of the Constitution? Wow--I've always wanted to meet you! ONLY the comments YOU want to see are allowed? Sorry pal, I will say whatever I feel like saying, also. The great thing about the Constitution--and this forum--is that I AM ALLOWED to rebut ANY comment I find disturbing. Freedom of speech is not for YOU only. Thanks for the irony...

utunicorn | 11:07 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

living in small town Utah, i grew up with family in tropic and I am very sad that this little girl died in her prime but who are we to say when and how we will die its gods choice not ours. My condolences to the families of both Hannah and Mr. Seely.

Elizabeth | 8:14 a.m. Aug. 16, 2008

I love Tropic UT, I, too, have some great, great grandparents buried there within the pioneer cemetery. It's a beautiful town just below Bryce Canyon. I have always loved gazing, while visiting, at all the interesting red rock formations, and spectacular cliffs.

My wishes are for peace and love to Hannah's parents and family. She was a beautiful young lady.

Terri | 8:19 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

My daughter & I met the grils and Rebecca this summer at Suzuki Violin camp and our families became instant friends-if only for the short time we were together (we live in Texas - the Wagstaff's in Utah). Hannah, Miriam and their mom are such sweet natured people who wear their faith on their face - meaning, you can see the love for others and God in their eyes and through their interaction with others.I'm sure the family is comforted by their faith but I know the loss has to be heartbreaking at the same time. Hannah's shortened life is evidence that our time here is limited. My daughter & I were definately blessed to have known Hannah.

a friend of hannahs | 9:32 p.m. Sept. 16, 2008

i had the chance to meet hannah at a girls camp! she is a fine young women that knows what she stands for! I am so sorry for your lose and i hope for the best!

hannahs friend | 9:39 p.m. Sept. 16, 2008

I was devistated when i found out! I couldnt believe that had occured! Our lord new what was needed to be done with her and he took her! She did what she needed to do! And with that, what girl would play music and visit the elderly! Hannah would! thats the type of girl she was! She was wonderful!

cousin of hannah | 5:41 p.m. Nov. 13, 2008

she was my cousin and we were pretty close, i feel bad for Miriam, her sister who not only lost her sister, but was in the accident 2

Cassie Wagstaff | 5:47 p.m. Nov. 13, 2008

Hannah Wagstaff is my Dad's cousin (Clay wagstaff) daughter. I cried when I heard. I hardly knew her. I wanted to meet her again and begin to know her more. This article makes me cry again. I'm so glad she's safe with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ now.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.