We need to be rescued from being risk averse
Noted in Ruth Wishart’s column in Herald
Published on 28 Apr 2010
“I can’t remember the last time I kissed my mum and told her I loved her,” said Jayne Hume this week. “Now I will never get the chance.” As the fatal accident inquiry into Alison Hume’s death heard last month, she lay trapped down a 60ft disused mine shaft for six hours until evacuated by a mountain rescue team. All the while firefighters in attendance were prevented by an officer from deploying the equipment that could have lifted her out without the delay which seems likely to have caused her death.
Apparently, an internal health and safety memo decreed the equipment in question was only to be used for members of the team, not the public. Fast-forward from that tragedy to Monday evening when a young woman was rescued from drowning in the Clyde by the Glasgow Humane Society’s George Parsonage. She was even luckier than she knew.
According to Parsonage and an eyewitness, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue service attempted to have him arrested to stop him wading to her assistance when strong currents prevented their lifelines or his boat being deployed effectively. “When you are conducting a rescue you have to do it within the safety threshold,” commented the group commander, while declining to discuss the specifics.