The true facts aren't at my disposal so it's hard to say if the guy was being foolhardy, poorly advised, being a true Salmon Bum, etc.
Don't tell me that we've all never taken that little bit of risk for the possibility of a fish. That said I have a healthy respect for a rising river, or in any spate condition.
Being Danish he possibly felt uncertain of local conditions, either way he couldn't be left there in what has arguably been the wettest Summer since 400AD.
As for the emergency services in attendance, well I haven't looked at the video again but I seem to recall there being the SAR chopper, an ambulance, fire engine, and a cop or two - apart from the Wimpey Litter Patrol that must be close to a full house. I don't think this is excessive due to the roll that they each would, or should I say could play, depending on how events unfolded.
£25k is a lot of money but a normal persons life must be worth much more.
I don't want to get into a general debate about specific accidents/events but I'll wager that somewhere along the line in the vast majority of cases someone has behaved irresponsibly, so should they or their surviving family be billed?
We all pay our taxes (unless you are a *I**Y and reading this on a stolen laptop) and the emergency services are doing their chosen specialised job and getting real time training to boot, the need for them its factored into us being human beings with hobbies, occupations, etc. that unfortunately being made of water and soft tissue put us in danger. I also think that as a semi civilised country we have a duty of care towards visitors/ tourists.
This is not a personal dig at any content in previous posts as I think you are all fantastic people!
Iain
P.S. How effective are those hoses dropped over the bridge? I guess if someone broke loose into the flow they would have to be conscious and strong enough to steer themselves over to the hose and hang on until??? how do you then get the person out of the water?? I'm intrigued.
