Predictable and inevitable.
Now, the legal eagles are circling; ever watchful, careful and cunning, already formulating plans for both defence and attack. All part of the natural aftermath of any event which involves injury or death, particularly one which involves aircraft and the public.
Speculation and media drama don't signify too much, not at the moment and will soon be consigned to 'other news' once the headlines have been replaced; again all part of the natural progress of such events. Which is one of the reasons why the NTSB and other mature agencies, charged with investigating fatal events manage the initial stages of the investigative process very carefully. Being particularly careful to get out 'in front' of the story, control the narrative and reduce the speculative element as far as possible.
But the real work is only beginning; the quiet army of folks in the background will do the heavy lifting; and, deal with the grisly, awful, dirty hard work of investigation and examination. These unsung folk deserve every bit of our unstinting thanks, appreciation and admiration for the jobs they do – Bravo, well done and thank you.
Now comes the hard part for those directly involved; the waiting. Nothing can even begin to be resolved until the final report is produced, and even then, more time must be invested before the Coroner has had his turn with the bat. Only then can the legal eagles join the battle; for battle it is. No quarter given, no wrinkle ignored, no ploy too ruthless in their clients interest. Any small chink in entire process can and will be used as a weapon, particularly any 'loose' or speculative narrative provided by those directly involved or responsible for providing the final report.
The Police, Ambulance, Fire control, ATSB crew and anyone assisting know better than to go 'on the record' with the media without an 'official' position to support their position. All except the ATSB chief commissioner; who gave not only individual media outlets interview, but then held a press conference almost before an IIC had been on site and briefed him.
For example - “ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said “the death toll would have been “far worse” had it not been for the skill of surviving pilot Michael James, who put the crippled chopper down on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater, metres from the crushed wreckage of the other aircraft.” - Bollocks!
Supposition, speculative: Mitchell has no reason to make this statement; no supporting evidence or even the slightest idea of who – if any one person – caused the collision or even the events which led to the event. The public and the media may well forget the interviews and the words spoken; but, sure as hell the legal boys and girls will be all over every word uttered. The words uttered by this prattling fool could very seriously affect a legal ruling, when push, as it invariably does, comes to shove - in a court of law, not in the press.
Mitchell must recuse himself from the investigation and report, if only for common decency sake. His 'job' was to ensure that a trained IIC was given a brief, assemble a team, ensure all resources were provided and to stay out of the way of not only the professionals but the media.
Aye; 'tis true - Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Toot – toot....
Now, the legal eagles are circling; ever watchful, careful and cunning, already formulating plans for both defence and attack. All part of the natural aftermath of any event which involves injury or death, particularly one which involves aircraft and the public.
Speculation and media drama don't signify too much, not at the moment and will soon be consigned to 'other news' once the headlines have been replaced; again all part of the natural progress of such events. Which is one of the reasons why the NTSB and other mature agencies, charged with investigating fatal events manage the initial stages of the investigative process very carefully. Being particularly careful to get out 'in front' of the story, control the narrative and reduce the speculative element as far as possible.
But the real work is only beginning; the quiet army of folks in the background will do the heavy lifting; and, deal with the grisly, awful, dirty hard work of investigation and examination. These unsung folk deserve every bit of our unstinting thanks, appreciation and admiration for the jobs they do – Bravo, well done and thank you.
Now comes the hard part for those directly involved; the waiting. Nothing can even begin to be resolved until the final report is produced, and even then, more time must be invested before the Coroner has had his turn with the bat. Only then can the legal eagles join the battle; for battle it is. No quarter given, no wrinkle ignored, no ploy too ruthless in their clients interest. Any small chink in entire process can and will be used as a weapon, particularly any 'loose' or speculative narrative provided by those directly involved or responsible for providing the final report.
The Police, Ambulance, Fire control, ATSB crew and anyone assisting know better than to go 'on the record' with the media without an 'official' position to support their position. All except the ATSB chief commissioner; who gave not only individual media outlets interview, but then held a press conference almost before an IIC had been on site and briefed him.
For example - “ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said “the death toll would have been “far worse” had it not been for the skill of surviving pilot Michael James, who put the crippled chopper down on a sandbank in the Southport Broadwater, metres from the crushed wreckage of the other aircraft.” - Bollocks!
Supposition, speculative: Mitchell has no reason to make this statement; no supporting evidence or even the slightest idea of who – if any one person – caused the collision or even the events which led to the event. The public and the media may well forget the interviews and the words spoken; but, sure as hell the legal boys and girls will be all over every word uttered. The words uttered by this prattling fool could very seriously affect a legal ruling, when push, as it invariably does, comes to shove - in a court of law, not in the press.
Mitchell must recuse himself from the investigation and report, if only for common decency sake. His 'job' was to ensure that a trained IIC was given a brief, assemble a team, ensure all resources were provided and to stay out of the way of not only the professionals but the media.
Aye; 'tis true - Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Toot – toot....