I'm surprised at this when there are so many fatalities at the TT races.

Don't the majority of TT casualties involve non-competitors "having a go"?

Anyway, the TT brings in huge amounts of business and cash for the IoM so there's no way plod would be doing anything whatsoever to stop that event - even though it is a million times more dangerous than running down a grassy bank. If it was held in Gloucester, maybe Honda would get their collars felt and warned as to their potential liabilities for supplying the bikes?

The police aren't too bothered about the people rolling down a hill.

It's the 15,000 spectators who turned up at the last event that they are worried about. That many people on a steep hill with no barriers? Great idea.

Again, its people's own risk. Its a hill in the middle of nowhere, not an arena. Or are people now so immersed in the world of tweets that they expect safety measures to be the same standard on top of a hill as at Wembley?

Seemingly, they are. Otherwise they would not warn off providers of cheeses for rolling down same.


Why, what dreadful misfortune befell them?


It's a grassy bank, ffs. If you are worried about lots of people on steep hills, I suggest you steer clear of the Lake District.

Unbelievable.

TBF FA 15k people packed on a steep grassy hillside isn't something I've seen very often in the Lake District.

Never been to Ben Nevis in July, then

TBF if I was doing Striding Edge and fell off, I'd actually appreciate 15,000 bodies to halt my fall.

In fact, that's probably about what it would take.

The point is that humans and steep hills, even cliffs, can get along perfectly well, without "barriers". Have done for hundreds of thousands of years.

Also, AFAIK (I haven't been) the speccies stay at the top. Presumably on account of if they all stood on the hill, it would rather spoil the event. Looks that way on this image:



But if you want masses on steep grassy (and anything else) banks then just go to any stage of the RAC rally. There'll be approx. 100,000 - 200,000 speccies and they will especially seek out any steep grassy slope overlooking the track. Anywhere along the miles of the stage. In any given season, tens of millions will attend these events, across te globe. You very often see this sort of thing.



. I have yet to hear of any mayhem caused by the co-incidence of humans and these slopes. Indeed the ones at most risk are those at the bottom, and that's from out of control rally cars, not falling bodies. In years gone by, this was still the case, despite the stages often taking place at night, and in snow and ice. All these people somehow seemed to beat the seemingly huge odds and managed to survive unscathed, despite the protection of the Gloucestershire constabulary.



It really is a non-point, though I don't find it surprising that there are people prepared to advance it. Whatever dotty H&S bullcrap anyone ever dreams up, however ridiculous, there are always some anal people who nod sagely in agreement.

Sadly, Gloucs. police aren't the only ones worried. Following the tragic death of a photographer and surfer, who may have been filming a local whirlpool, DC Ayling of Devon & Cornwall police was quoted thus:

There are know organisers and the competitors have to have a degree of competence (in the same way that you or I can't just turn up and drive a formula one car.)

Members of the public who ride the circuit are not doing so in an organised fashion nor are they competing. I've ridden the circuit many times myself and found it one of the most exhilarating legal experiences I've had.

As for the cheese maker, I think the Police were simply making all those involved aware of their possible responsibilities. I did't read anywhere that the Police told them not to do it.

Could it be that an "ambulance chaser" has been crawling out from under a stone?

I'm really glad that you highlighted this, I really hadn't a clue how dangerous whirlpools could be, what with them whirling and all that, the very next time I see one I'll be sure to stand in front of it and wave people past telling them to take care and not get into the whirlpool for fear that harm may come.

We need the police to tell us things like this.