Please use jack stands.

[Senor_Taylor]

Really sad news today, as a Miata.net member has passed away after his car fell from a scissor jack onto him. His wife found him.

Most people are making a point about scissor jacks, but I feel the need to point out that NO jack is acceptable to leave your car on. Jack stands are a must, and it frightens me how often I see people get under a car while on jacks, or on jack stands that are on a soft or uneven surface. Even when using jack stands, have the jack under another part of the car in case the stands fail, and always always always let someone know when you're under the car and get them to check on you every 30 minutes or so.

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So, a few weeks ago I got a hold from an administrator in a different Miata forum, that knew that Garret and I were friends.

This administrator, had received an email stating that Soledad had passed away.

I posted a thread in the Mid Atlantic sub-forum here @ M.Net, inquiring Soledad's status. Forum member Kevin Spann (kevinspann), PM stating that Garret in fact had passed away.

This past weekend, I received a PM from forum member Jerry (bassman1) and he gave me his phone number to contact him, as he was a VERY close friend of Garret's.

Evidently, in a completely out of character move, Garret, lifted his '90 silver NA (Soledad), with scissor jacks, to install a wideband. Though he had a real floor jack and jackstands, Gar decided to use the scissors to lift the car.

At some point, the car fell on him, and Garret was found dead by his wife.

I'm in tears as I type this. Please, use proper jacking methods to work on your car. Garret was in his mid 30's and had a lot to live for.

I miss my friend.