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Plant City Parade Death Report Posted On Town's Web Site

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

PLANT CITY - A report that details the circumstances surrounding a 9-year-old boy's death during the Plant City Christmas Parade has been posted on the city's Web site, www.ci.plant-city.fl.us.

The document, largely written by Police Chief Bill McDaniel and Fire Chief George Shiley, offers recommendations on improving parade safety and enhancing communication between law enforcement and fire rescue personnel during large events.

The report was released in response to the death of Jordan "Booka" Hays, who was run over by a float during the Christmas parade on Dec. 7. Jordan was walking alongside a church float and distributing candy when he was caught under the wheels.

In the report, McDaniel says the crowd was not a contributing factor in the Inverness boy's death and cites a flaw in the float's design.

McDaniel faulted the float because it had a candy storage box forward of the wheels, which protruded from the sides of the float.

Hays, who was helping distribute candy from the church float, was reaching for more goodies after the float temporarily stopped and was caught under the wheels when the float began moving, police said.

Paramedic units arrived on the scene within six minutes of the emergency call, although one fire rescue unit was delayed because it encountered several floats at the rear of the parade, Shiley says.

On Jan. 14, commissioners voted to ban the distribution of beads, candy and other items from city parades. Commissioners also agreed to create a task force that would come up with uniform safety standards for parades.

The online posting of documents detailing municipal matters started last year when officials posted the fiscal year 2007-08 budget online.

Other documents now available for viewing include City Manager David Sollenberger's annual report, master plans for growth and development, a conceptual plan for reinvigorating an 85-acre sector south of the historical downtown district, road closures and water restrictions.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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