These are the web sites of the death and injuries that I found some time ago. There are more if you search for them. The death of the woman truly blows your heart and mind away. The collected info is far more than just food for thought, it brings into reality both the seen and unseen danger of our sport and any other sport that is conducted on an apparent barren area of land or beach. To be always mindful of others is a gross understatment and highlights the importance of proper liability insurance. Sadly, insurance wont take away the pain of all those involved but it can protect to some degree, the families of the injured and also the family of the pilot. To have such a horror burned into ones heart as the pilot/driver concerned would last a lifetime that no jail time could ever erase or compensate for.

Kody

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2203584.stm
www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-24-2004-59711.asp
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2288202.stm
www.boards.co.uk/articles/index.asp?ID_A=242&article_type=11
www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/About%20ESV/Files/Media/YachtMasts07-01-03.pdf
http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/2004/9/21/467757.html

The international land sailing fraternity is a small one. We were all shocked when this initially happened. An awful situation for all concerned.

When we raced in Rada Tilly and the Argentinians had over 4 km of beach barricaded off, plus police cadets to ensure no-one climbed over the barricades to ensure the safety of both public and pilots - this was a truly amazing effort. When FISLY President Eric Engelbrecht got up and did the thank you's at the end of the comp he mentioned how greatful the pilots were to the Argentinian assn and the people of Rada Tilly for providing the first time ever having a secure beach to race in. The cheer that went up by the pilots was enormous. Over 100 years of land yachting and this was the first truly secure racing.

Accidents unfortunately can and do and will happen. We can all learn from events such as these and others closer to home by taking what precautions we can, being aware and choosing our venues wisely.

Did the club( FLYDE SANDYACHT CLUB) G et shut down or did they all just go home and couldnt face coming back? It would be appreciated by us old timers if you could find out a few details
Cheers Paul

That wouldnt suprise me. when we were there ,the fishermen would insisted on digging big holes for worms whilst we sailed in the same place,and wouldnt fill them in, a sand company had an excavator and trucks digging sand in the same place as we sailed and wouldnt level off the pits, there were 2 old wrecks on the beach which the locals wouldnt level and of course the dog walkers/holiday makers who all insisted that it was thier right to walk on the beach.
For us the most dangerous was the trucks who really chewed up the beach and refused to slow down or deviate