Here is a very sad story that was recently featured in the media, highlighting how deeply health and safety regulations are impacting the ability of the rescue services to perform their roles.
Simon Burgess fell into Gosport Boating Lake and drowned, his corpse (note, no one is yet sure as to when he died in the water as he suffered from blackouts) then floated on the water whilst the crews of two fire engines, two police cars, two ambulances and an air ambulance looked on.
For why?
They were told not to enter the 3 foot deep water, in case they "compromised their safety".
A specialist water rescue crew arrived 26 minutes later, and removed Mr Burgess's corpse from the lake.
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When I first read this story, it disgusted me; I wonder why some of these people join the emergency services at all. This is not the first time we have heard stories of the public suffering or dying because the emergency services refused to act because of crazy interpretations of 'elf'n'safety rules by senior management grades.
ReplyDeleteIf I was one of the emergency service's persons present, I would be too ashamed to stay in the service or would have been kicked out for refusing to accept that order to stand down.
Incidently, if I was a local and knew the pond was only three feet deep, I would have gone in myself to check whether the guy was dead or not. When I did my "Bronze Medallion" many decades ago, I was taught how to go into water with possible hazzards below the surface etc etc....I could not stand by and leave a body in the water not knowing whether that person is or is not dead already.
We need our emergency services to get out of the risk averse culture, to back the bravery of their staff and to cut back on the ambulance chasing personal injury lawyers.
Just laugh at Hi-Viz.
I must have missed that a helicopter was also present. Whilst the air ambulances aren't equipped with winches a la air-sea rescue types, I can still call up a vivid memory of the frantic efforts made by rescuers when a jet crashed into the freezing Potomac river many years ago.
ReplyDeleteThis included a (single engined) Bell Jet Ranger hovering inches above the surface with a real hero hanging out the door, and trying (successfully) to drag one survivor to the shore. All UK ambulance choppers are twin engined, so have even less excuse on safety grounds.
You have to wonder what sort of conversation went on at the homes of these jobsworths later - "Did you have a nice day at work dear?"
Similar issues have been brought to light in the Derrick Bird inquest.
ReplyDeleteThis is shocking yet unsurprising in a country where MPs take the piss everyday. I was shocked to read this too and let it serve as a warning to anybody who doesn't wear the brand and talk the talk at the olympics:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.toffeeweb.com/season/10-11/comment/fan/17504.html
As a minor aside, this week sees the launch of yet another Hollywood Roman Empire epic depicting, again, the demise of the 9th Legion in Britain.
ReplyDeleteThe film units' Historical Advisor advised that Roman cavalry did not use stirrups (not then invented)
but the productions insurance company insisted that stirrrups be used for elfinsafety and verisimilitude be damned.
In the next one all legionnaires will be provided with goggles and ear muffs.
Nice article, thanks for the information.
ReplyDelete