Post by mythor23 on Apr 10, 2008 23:17:21 GMT 8
courtesy of pinkbike:
With the greatest regret we must inform you of the very sad news of the death of Si Paton shortly after attending a competitive downhill race the other weekend here in the U.K.
Unfortunately Si suffered massive head injuries during a practice run on the Sunday morning and was air lifted off the hill by the Air Ambulance to the nearest Neurology Department some 90 miles away. According to his father Si received the best possible treatment from the surgeons but they were unable to save him and he passed away during a second emergency operation on the operating table on the Sunday evening after the race.
A confirmed report from the attending Commissaire who questioned several eye witnesses has documented the following:
During Sunday practice Si was completing a full practice run down the course into the last wooded section where he clipped a tree with his handlebar and was bucked side wards clipping a tree with his head. The force of which separated his helmet from his head and as he tumbled to the ground he landed head first on a large rock.
The course was immediately closed and the attending medics were there in seconds. The rest of the riders descended safely to the bottom of the course and within 10 minutes the Air Ambulance had landed and the crew were attending to the fallen rider.
Several eye witnesses reported seeing Si riding with his helmet undone with his chin strap visibly flapping in the wind. On inspection of the helmet the Commissaire agreed the helmet straps were not properly attached.
The race was immediately called off and everyone respectfully left the venue for the long drive home.
The U.K.'s governing body has just released a statement saying it has decided to suspend all racing and uplifts here in the U.K throughout 2008 whilst a full investigation and inquiry is held. The report and it's recommendations are expected to be made public in September 2008.
All our thoughts go out to his distraught parents and girlfriend who were all at the race to cheer him on and where there trackside comforting him whilst the medics attended.
===============================================================
Alright, alright, put your handkerchiefs away, it's not true, I'm alive and kicking!
The aim of the above is to really make you think next time your stood up there on that hill and your actions.
For those of you that race here in the U.K you may already be aware of the humiliating position I'll put you in if you cross the line with your lid straps either undone or not properly attached. Microphone in hand you'll be put on the spot and asked publicly over the sound system why?
You would of thought that the public shaming should of stopped any such incidents? Not the case ladies and gentleman. Every weekend we see riders breaking these rules that are put in place to benefit the rider and their family.
Not only could this save your life and your good looks (Okay most of you are ugly) and at the worst end up brown bread (Dead). You might receive brain damage and end up eating every meal out of a Goodridge Hose straight into your gut. If you are lucky, you may well become Kenwood's number one customer for their food blenders as you'll be sucking on straws for a long, long time.
Not worried about yourself, then just think about the heart break you will be putting your family through.
The consequences for you not attaching your lid correctly could be life threatening. The consequences for our sport that we all love, live and breathe could also be life threatening. This is where you come in, if you see a rider on the hill with a loose strap, give them a polite reminder, you never know it might save their life!
Below is what will be enforced at the NPS, some of which may well trickle down into the regional races and uplifts:
Regarding helmets: The BC rule book states your helmet must be correctly attached. This means it should be fastened securely using either the clip or through the double D buckle loops. It should not be attached by the pop stud, that is there to secure the excess strap and to stop it flying around.
Please note that being able to take your helmet off without undoing or loosening the chin strap means it is not correctly attached, the Commissaire will be called to warn you. If you are seen a second time then your number board will be removed and your riding for that weekend will be over. You will have to wait in the finish arena until the appointed British Cycling Commissaire comes to speak to you regards any of the above. Please be aware that the BC Commissaire may well be up the course and you may have to wait some time before he is able to speak to you, thus loosing you valuable practice time. Your co-operation to adhere to the rules may help save your life and ensure you get another run down the hill.
Please note BC Commissaires turn up all weekend and work for free, yes it's voluntary. Their only payment is accommodation, fuel allowance, bacon sandwiches and cups of tea. Their main purpose is to ensure primarily the safety of everyone and secondly that everything is fair.
Si “Superfly” Paton
www.Descent-Gear.com
For 661 Protection.
With the greatest regret we must inform you of the very sad news of the death of Si Paton shortly after attending a competitive downhill race the other weekend here in the U.K.
Unfortunately Si suffered massive head injuries during a practice run on the Sunday morning and was air lifted off the hill by the Air Ambulance to the nearest Neurology Department some 90 miles away. According to his father Si received the best possible treatment from the surgeons but they were unable to save him and he passed away during a second emergency operation on the operating table on the Sunday evening after the race.
A confirmed report from the attending Commissaire who questioned several eye witnesses has documented the following:
During Sunday practice Si was completing a full practice run down the course into the last wooded section where he clipped a tree with his handlebar and was bucked side wards clipping a tree with his head. The force of which separated his helmet from his head and as he tumbled to the ground he landed head first on a large rock.
The course was immediately closed and the attending medics were there in seconds. The rest of the riders descended safely to the bottom of the course and within 10 minutes the Air Ambulance had landed and the crew were attending to the fallen rider.
Several eye witnesses reported seeing Si riding with his helmet undone with his chin strap visibly flapping in the wind. On inspection of the helmet the Commissaire agreed the helmet straps were not properly attached.
The race was immediately called off and everyone respectfully left the venue for the long drive home.
The U.K.'s governing body has just released a statement saying it has decided to suspend all racing and uplifts here in the U.K throughout 2008 whilst a full investigation and inquiry is held. The report and it's recommendations are expected to be made public in September 2008.
All our thoughts go out to his distraught parents and girlfriend who were all at the race to cheer him on and where there trackside comforting him whilst the medics attended.
===============================================================
Alright, alright, put your handkerchiefs away, it's not true, I'm alive and kicking!
The aim of the above is to really make you think next time your stood up there on that hill and your actions.
For those of you that race here in the U.K you may already be aware of the humiliating position I'll put you in if you cross the line with your lid straps either undone or not properly attached. Microphone in hand you'll be put on the spot and asked publicly over the sound system why?
You would of thought that the public shaming should of stopped any such incidents? Not the case ladies and gentleman. Every weekend we see riders breaking these rules that are put in place to benefit the rider and their family.
Not only could this save your life and your good looks (Okay most of you are ugly) and at the worst end up brown bread (Dead). You might receive brain damage and end up eating every meal out of a Goodridge Hose straight into your gut. If you are lucky, you may well become Kenwood's number one customer for their food blenders as you'll be sucking on straws for a long, long time.
Not worried about yourself, then just think about the heart break you will be putting your family through.
The consequences for you not attaching your lid correctly could be life threatening. The consequences for our sport that we all love, live and breathe could also be life threatening. This is where you come in, if you see a rider on the hill with a loose strap, give them a polite reminder, you never know it might save their life!
Below is what will be enforced at the NPS, some of which may well trickle down into the regional races and uplifts:
Regarding helmets: The BC rule book states your helmet must be correctly attached. This means it should be fastened securely using either the clip or through the double D buckle loops. It should not be attached by the pop stud, that is there to secure the excess strap and to stop it flying around.
Please note that being able to take your helmet off without undoing or loosening the chin strap means it is not correctly attached, the Commissaire will be called to warn you. If you are seen a second time then your number board will be removed and your riding for that weekend will be over. You will have to wait in the finish arena until the appointed British Cycling Commissaire comes to speak to you regards any of the above. Please be aware that the BC Commissaire may well be up the course and you may have to wait some time before he is able to speak to you, thus loosing you valuable practice time. Your co-operation to adhere to the rules may help save your life and ensure you get another run down the hill.
Please note BC Commissaires turn up all weekend and work for free, yes it's voluntary. Their only payment is accommodation, fuel allowance, bacon sandwiches and cups of tea. Their main purpose is to ensure primarily the safety of everyone and secondly that everything is fair.
Si “Superfly” Paton
www.Descent-Gear.com
For 661 Protection.