The accident at the Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina event on Sunday shocked our nation.
What was supposed to be an afternoon of entertainment for a good cause turned out to be a nightmare for the injured and their families, for those who witnessed the accident and for the rest of us, who followed the developments hoping and praying that the consequences will not take a turn for the worse.
The magisterial inquiry that has been launched will hopefully shed more light. The footage shown gives a clear indication of the dynamics of the accident, but there are more serious questions that need to be asked and answered.
And these serious questions regard most of all the safety measures that were (?) in place.
Anyone who watches car racing events or motor-shows similar to the one that took place on Sunday knows that the police barriers that separated the crowd of spectators from the speeding cars did not offer enough protection. Rows of tyres roped to each other and affixed to a concrete fence is what one usually sees in such events, but nothing of the sort was seen at Hal Farrug. The momentum of a car being driven at speed is not halted by flimsy barriers and, instead, a car out of control tears through them as easily as breaking a biscuit.
This situation proves that there are many times when we take matters lightly, and do not foresee what could happen. Some describe this as an amateurish way of doing things. Let us now hope that, if this and other events are to be repeated in the years to come, this accident serves as an example that no expense should be spared when it comes to safety.
On the positive side, the response given by the medical staff is to be commended. Having to deal with an accident that involved so many injured people is not common for our doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, but their quick intervention and coordinated effort has potentially saved lives.
Treating the physical wounds is as important as the taking care of the psychological trauma, and in this respect the number is higher than the number of people lying in a hospital bed. It’s a good thing that this is being given the attention it deserves with the helplines that have been set up. Mental scars will take longer to heal, but the assistance being provided is crucial for a quicker recovery.
In all of this, two ministers have been conspicuously absent. Minister Carmelo Abela, who is responsible for the police and the country’s safety, and Minister Konrad Mizzi, who is responsible for health, were nowhere to be seen to offer the “political comfort” the country needed in the circumstances. It is incredible that each time there is some kind of disaster, top government members are absent. It happened last week during the traffic chaos that ensued after the torrential rains – where was Joe Mizzi? – and it happened again on Sunday. One would have expected Mr Abela and Dr Mizzi to be at the forefront to give reassurances, but like Joe Mizzi last week, they were absent.
Conversely, parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne has been constantly on the go, giving comments and press conferences on the developing situation. He has to be praised for this, given the delicate situation. President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was also close to what was happening all the time.
A big well done also goes to my colleagues at Net TV, who had the presence of mind to quickly come up with a programme that enabled viewers to follow what was taking place as it happened on Sunday afternoon, with the additional insight of psychologists, psychiatrists and motor experts. I know how hard it is to be responsible for news on such a big story that kept changing every minute – I was doing the same for this website – but they were delicate and professional in their approach.
It is something from which PBS – the national station did not bother to change its planned schedule to give an account of the Hal Farrug happenings – should learn.