A tragic accident at Gas Works Park has reignited calls for improved safety measures after a 15-year-old boy fell to his death from a towering park structure earlier this month.
The teen, identified as Mattheis Johnson, had been attending a pop-up concert at the popular North Seattle park on July 11 when he fell from a structure nearly 50 feet high. Despite the area being marked with warning signs and surrounded by fencing, Johnson somehow gained access to the restricted zone. The fall proved fatal.
In the wake of the incident, a local law firm says Johnson’s family has reached out seeking answers and accountability. But legal experts say current state law may offer the city broad protections.
Colin Hutchinson, an attorney with Davis Law Group, explained that Washington’s recreational use immunity law may limit the family’s options. The statute generally protects landowners, including public entities, from liability when people are injured on land designated for recreational use, unless the harm is intentional.
“In Washington, a property owner’s only duty in these cases is not to deliberately harm someone. The law assumes people understand certain risks, especially if warnings are clearly posted,” Hutchinson said.
Still, the attorney points to a concerning trend. He says at least 12 similar cases involving serious injury or death have occurred at Gas Works Park since 2009. He believes this pattern demands greater accountability and action from the city.
“The family is seeking answers and wants to know how this happened. Who is responsible for ensuring safety measures are in place and effective?” Hutchinson added.
Gas Works Park underwent some safety upgrades last year, including enhanced fencing and partial removal of climbable structures. City officials confirmed those changes were made to deter access to dangerous areas. Despite those efforts, questions remain about how the teen was able to breach the restricted zone.
In a statement, Seattle Parks and Recreation expressed sorrow over the teen’s death and said a thorough review is now underway.
“We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of a young life in one of our city parks and extend our heartfelt condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and all those impacted by this unimaginable tragedy. The death of a young person is a profound loss that ripples through the entire community and one we share together,” the statement read.
Officials said the department is actively investigating how the area was accessed and evaluating whether additional safety measures could be introduced. While the current fencing remains in place and is routinely inspected, the department said it is exploring further strategies to improve security and prevent future incidents.
The public is reminded that entry into restricted areas of the park is prohibited, and climbing on any park structures is strictly unsafe.
Meanwhile, Hutchinson is urging the city to go a step further by bringing in a safety professional to assess the site and by considering legal reforms such as adopting a “constant trespasser” standard, a legal principle used in some states that requires landowners to take more proactive steps to prevent foreseeable injuries, even by trespassers.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns a life lost too soon and waits to see whether meaningful change will follow.
