Yesterday’s story (HERE) about the UK firefighter being arrested for manslaughter because the fire engine’s lights and siren may have caused a herd of cattle to stampede, brought a large number of readers after it spread over the world-wide-web. We have an update for you today, and it just makes the prosecution’s actions even more “curiouser and curiouser” as our pal Alice used to day.
After we posted the article and linked to the story in the Daily Mail, the newspaper posted an updated version that had 4 new sentences inserted that weren’t there earlier. They read: ….as he and Richard moved the cows 100 yards along a country road a fire engine on its way to a 999 call approached from the opposite direction. Richard, who was at the head of the herd, says the driver of the fire engine turned off the siren and lights as he approached. However, after speaking to Richard he allegedly turned the siren and lights back on in an attempt to force his way through the cattle. Harold, who was at the rear of the herd, had dismounted to try and calm the animals but he was trampled when they stampeded.
There’s no doubt that this makes it look even worse for the driver and officer of the fire engine, especially the officer. But I’m wondering if that’s what it is designed to do? Let’s look at a couple of things, first I would like to know why these four sentences were missing from the earlier edition. Is the newspaper trying to stay on the police department’s good side by selectively releasing information? Or more likely, is the prosecutor’s office only releasing some of the evidence? Are they trying to subtly influence the jury pool? By now, you have probably noticed that we have not been told any part of the firefighter’s side of the story. Nothing. We don’t even know which member of the fire brigade is being charged, let alone his version of the events. Remember, this is six months later.
The Devon and Somerset Fire Department has refused to comment, but somebody’s talking out there. I am not so much concerned about the level of guilt in this case as I am about the motives of the prosecutors and police. This growing practice of placing criminal charges against firefighters who are performing under emergency conditions is not good.
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The National Hockey League has resumed play following the 2-½ week furlough for the Olympics. This is where the intensity of the games picks up with only 18 to 20 games remaining for each team to play. Adding to the drama is today’s 3 pm Eastern trade deadline. No more player trades for the rest of the season. This usually leads to teams that have no hope to make the playoffs trading good, role players to teams that are on the cusp of making them or others who are trying to soldify their chances to advance in the playoffs.
Philadelphia announced yesterday that their #1 goaltender has a hip problem that requires immediate surgery and he is out for the rest of the season. They might be looking for a replacement if they don’t think their backup goalies are good enough for the stretch run.
Hockey fans know who Chris Chelios is, a former top-level defenseman who is now 48 years old. Well, he has come out of semi-retirement and just signed a contract with the Atlanta Thrashers for the rest of the season. I’m sure there are a lot of opinons about that one.
But there’s no debate about our need to get this equipment checked out now. I’ll go get the coffee started. See you back in the day room.
Also on FireGeezer…
- Morning Lineup – April 1 – April 1, 2012
- Morning Lineup – April 24 – April 24, 2012
- Morning Lineup – November 21 – November 21, 2010
- Morning Lineup – April 13 – April 13, 2011
