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Events @ Bannockburn High
ROAD SAFETY PRESENTATION at the MacRobert Theatre on Tuesday 22.01.08
There were people everywhere, waiting to greet us, perhaps staff of
Strathclyde Fire Service? We were ushered straight into the theatre and
could hear loud cheers and music. A Central radio DJ was there willing the
crowds of S4 pupils and their teachers to join in the fun: clapping their
hands, catching blue “safety” wristbands as they flew through the air,
Mexican waves crashed from pupil to pupil. The party atmosphere was catching
and soon everyone joined in the fun.
A change of mood soon fell over us, however, as we watched and witnessed, on
screen, a road traffic collision with three teenagers in the car. We watched
as different people tried to help from the police, ambulance service and
fire service, then listened to them on stage as they related their
experiences of trying to keep the young people alive. They gave details that
were heart rending and made the collision more real. Each, in turn, told of
the difficulty of their job: going home with fresh memories of death and
injury, wakeful nights and bloody uniforms. Heavy hearted we waited to see
what could come next…..and were unprepared for the emotional account of two
parents who had lost their daughter, Lisa, in a car crash only four months
ago. With courage and determination to prevent further loss of young lives,
they told their story of an ordinary family dealing with death and exhorted
us to stay safe – stay alive. Then, another dad came on stage to show his 18
year old son on the screen, dancing and enjoying life…..at least, he did
until he suffered brain damage in car collision. David, his son, then slowly
came into our view on stage – he was in a wheelchair and could manage to
move his upper limbs to some extent, enough to wave and press the button on
his electric chair. He couldn’t speak but in his e-voice he told us what
happened and how his life is limited to 24 hour care and total dependency.
The contrast between his persona on screen and the damaged body on stage was
devastating and difficult to take.
This was an event that stunned us and a message never to be forgotten – God
forgive us if we do - STAY SAFE. STAY ALIVE.
J Mackay
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