Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2007 17:24:03 GMT 12
I see on 3 news the Army has been ordered by the courts to pay an injured kiwi soldier $35,000 following an accident last year where the Unimog he was in the back of hit a truck head on. The soldier was thrown out of the mog and was badly injured.
Now, as a result of that accident, the army allows all troops in the back of trucks to be able to buckle up.
I am amazed that it has taken so long for the military to come around to this. When i joined the RNZAF in 1989 we used to ride in the back of the bedford RL's at high speed over rough as guts terrain, and if you were near the back doors you were really risking life and limb. We were told then by the GSI's to link arms because a year or so before a cadet had fallen out of the back and died from the injuries.
We had no reason to dispute this as it seemed extremely likely, though I've never seen written proof of the death yet.
But surely if it had occurred in the 1980's there should have been some sort of enforcement of seat restraints then - rather than wait till now, 20 years later and more injuries.
Now, as a result of that accident, the army allows all troops in the back of trucks to be able to buckle up.
I am amazed that it has taken so long for the military to come around to this. When i joined the RNZAF in 1989 we used to ride in the back of the bedford RL's at high speed over rough as guts terrain, and if you were near the back doors you were really risking life and limb. We were told then by the GSI's to link arms because a year or so before a cadet had fallen out of the back and died from the injuries.
We had no reason to dispute this as it seemed extremely likely, though I've never seen written proof of the death yet.
But surely if it had occurred in the 1980's there should have been some sort of enforcement of seat restraints then - rather than wait till now, 20 years later and more injuries.
