In the wake of a heartbreaking tragedy, a Seattle law firm is conducting a thorough review of the safety protocols at Gas Works Park following the tragic death of Mattheis Johnson, a 15-year-old student from Ballard High School. Mattheis fell 50 feet to his death earlier this month, shortly after attending an outdoor pop-up concert at the park, as detailed on the family’s official GoFundMe page. According to a spokesperson from the Seattle Fire Department, the young boy fell from a platform and was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Attorney Hutchinson, who is involved in the review, expressed concern about the adequacy of existing safety measures. He pointed out that while the legal standards surrounding park safety are laid out clearly, there is a pressing need for more proactive steps to prevent such tragic occurrences. Hutchinson highlighted that this incident is not isolated, as there have been 12 similar incidents in the past that resulted in injuries, raising questions about the effectiveness of current safety protocols.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson from Seattle Parks and Recreation stated that new fencing was installed around the structure in 2023, and certain parts of the structure were removed to “mitigate access to climbing.” The department assured the public that the fencing is regularly inspected and remains in place to deter unauthorized access…