Breaking down the Arizona Fatal offroad recovery

I'm guilty of using my tow hitch to recover trucks and trailers. I think for me it's a case of you don't know what you don't know, and when you find out, it's too late. I'm glad I found this video and really appreciate Ryan's wife for allowing you to use their story to educate others on the dangers. I am very sorry for her loss, but incredible that she see's the possibility to help others despite her grief. Quite a woman! I'm ordering the right tools ASAP.

I've pulled and been pulled out dozens, if not hundreds of times with a ball hitch. NO MORE! Thanks for this wake up call

I don't do recoveries, I don't even have a truck nor do I know how this ended up in my youtube queue, but I learned something valuable and will pass it on to others, thank you sir.

My daughter’s boyfriend goes off roading. Gifted him a kinetic recovery rope with soft shackles. Peace of mind. Thank you for this video. A lot of safety and awareness has come from his sacrifice. I wish the family comfort.

Holy crap. I've been dancing with death for years and I didn't even know it. Thank you so much for this video. Lives are going to be saved.

This is great info! One thing I would add, from my days of rescue training as a firefighter. ALWAYS put a jacket, blanket, or other soft, heavy fabric over the chain or strap. This should be placed a third of the distance behind the tow vehicle. If the strap or chain breaks, it will wrap around the jacket, which acts as a brake, quickly stopping it from sailing through the air. I've broken a few chains, and this works wonders to stop the chain. We used to use our bunker gear coats, but even a sleeping bag or big tarp folded up will work.

Super happy to see this now has 1.2 MILLION views. Thank you for educating the masses!

There is no doubt that your video will save many lives. I grew up on a farm and have done this many times. I never thought of all that information you shared with us. You may have even saved my life. Thanks so much

My coworker was his sister, she came in when it happened because she didn’t know where to go. So sorry for her family, this was posted all over Facebook and our towns groups, and a lot of people were so horrible in the comments. I hope they heal well, and please be nice everyone, he can’t read your comments but his family still can

I'm 61 and have been pulling stuck vehicles out this way all of my life, never again! My condolences to Ryan's family, may god be with you in your healing process and thank you for allowing this story to be told 🙏.

I taught wheeled (and some track) recovery for the U.S. Army for 7 years. Thank you for putting this out. This info should prevent some serious injuries or worse. Thank you for the great info!

I didn’t read the title properly and when you said “it was fatal” it caught me off guard. How incredibly sad, I bet the guy helping was devastated too even though he was trying to help.

As a retired wrecker driver who specialized in class 8 recoveries I think this is one of the best video's I seen on this subject. Only one thing I can think to add is the drop ball mount will increase torque load on the hitch (like a cheater bar on a ratchet) which is why they have gusset plates I have seen people twist and break a hitch just by slamming on the brakes with a drop mount and moderate load on trailer.

Ryans father Chris is a friend of mine. Thank you for making this video, hopefully it can save lives in the future. R.I.P. Ryan and my sincere condolences to all in the Woods family.

As i am someone who regularly stops and helps stuck/stranded motorists, this is knowledge for me!! Tragic end by someone just stopping to help. I can't even imagine how both sides of this story are feeling.

This is a great video. Years ago I was almost killed in the same way. Wasn't into offroading, knew nothing about recovery. Someone stopped to pull us out (I was riding with friends), he seemed confident in what he was doing, so we let him proceed. I stood off to the side and away from the vehicles where I felt would be safe. He tied a 2'' strap with metal hook on the end, around his hitch somehow I think, not sure. He hammered on the gas, I heard a loud bang and for some reason I moved my head about 6" left as a reaction. The hook and rope shot straight at me, passed by right where my head was, continued another 10', came back, wrapped around my head and pulled tight across my eyes, faster than I could fall to the ground. Other than rope burns across my eyelids I ended up ok. But if the hook hit my head I would have been dead. This video should be part of standard driver's education to get a driver's license.

This happened to me in a Dodge Dart, my friend was towing me to a garage for it to be fixed, when he pulled into the garage parking lot he stretched the cable, my front tires were having trouble rolling over the curb. His hook let go and came flying through the windshield into the passenger seat, I was covered in glass, it was a lesson I will never forget. May his family find peace, and may he Rest In Peace.

I just bought my first truck, which is off-road ready. I would have never guessed recovering with a tow-ball was unsafe. Glad to have watched this. Deepest condolences to the family and friends.

Thank you for taking the time to share this information and for being respectful to this gentleman and his family ❤️💔❤️

After watching this I’m definitely going to upgrade my shackles and receiver mount. The gentleman that unfortunately passed as a result of this is probably saving more lives than he would’ve ever imagined by using this as an educational example.