New safety rules

[Mark G]

I am grateful to Margaret for this clarification. I would also like to emphasise that in SHR's role as independent reviewers of all the evidence, both before and during the inquest, we expressed the view (as 4 competitors/ organisers with over 100 years total experience of competing and race organisation) that the Sailbeck Race was better organised than most we had experience of. As with all races in our experience, there were human errors. NONE of these errors had any bearing on the tragic outcome. This simple point seems to have been lost during this extended debate on issues peripheral to the tragedy. We now face the risk of over-reaction with more prescriptive safety requirements which could lead to unintended consequences which could actually jeopardise safety culture in fell racing. Let us hope that the collective wisdom of the FRA Committee will save us all from such an outcome, even at such a late stage.

Race Organisers have very good reason to be alarmed.

KB

KB - I think that says it all. I was asked to submit something to the inquest which wasn't eventually used (but you may have seen it). Like Wheeze I agree entirely with your comments. I'm now waiting to see what develops.