On Sunday 24th July a serious accident occurred at an event organised by the TT Automobile Sports Association at Wallerfield. One of the vehicles ran off the track and ploughed into a group of spectators, seriously injuring at least five young persons. It could have been worse There could have been more injured and persons could have lost their lives.
Since then, the association has embarked on an aggressive Public Relations campaign pointing to disclaimer signs on the site, extolling safety standards and issuing regular press releases that they are giving the victims and their families every possible assistance. The representatives have really been trying to cover their backsides. It has been a one way media blitz. The media have not bothered to contact the families of the victims.
Let us deal with these releases. Disclaimer signs do not absolve the organisers of any public event from responsibility for the safety of people attending the event. The association keeps on repeating that it has met all international safety standards. The public is expected to be placated or impressed by the use of the word "international."
The safety barrier consisted of rows of untied tyres that scattered like a flock of black birds against the force of a vehicle hurtling into a crowd of people at over 150 mph. The spectators stand was within striking distance of any vehicle veering off the track. I would like association to tell me where they got these standards.
Equipment failure could be the result of carelessness and incompetence. That is not an excuse. The association indicates that a team from the FIA is coming to do an independent report. Aware of the connection between the two associations and the possibility for cover up, let me state that the security and safety of the citizens are the responsibility of the Trinidad and Tobago government. I hope they do not abdicate their responsibility.
In an attempt to polish their image and protect themselves most of the releases given to the media by the association are filled with lies, half truths and exaggeration. The association has done little beyond talk to bring help and comfort to the victims and their families. What in concrete terms have they done?
In fact I think visits by representatives to the hospitals are mainly aimed to get information for their press releases I almost cried yesterday when I heard one release stating that the victims are in high spirits and looking forward to the next event. Five young persons in the prime of their lives are feeling the pain from broken hands and feet, ruptured kidneys, cuts, bruises, loss of teeth. Skull concussion and they are supposed to be in high spirits? Doctors are reluctant to predict the outcome these wounds.
A word on the public health conditions. The personnel at the Arima health Facility did a good job under difficult circumstances. It took hours, however, before a transfer of victims from Arima to Mount Hope could take place. The doctors at Mount Hope were very helpful, but the hospital is lacking in a wide range of very basic items. Even worse it is evident that some of the support staff don't care about doctors' instructions or the helplessness of the patients. Please intervene Ministers of Health and Sports. The latter's visit did much to raise the spirit of parents last Monday.
Ramesh Ramsaran
Professor Emeritus, UWI St Augustine