Comedy of errors leads to TT tragedy

Some of the revelations made during this week’s Inquest - into the death of TT competitor, Mark Ramsbotham, and two spectators, Dean Jacob and Gregory Kenzig, during the final laps of the Centenary TT - would have been laughable had they not had such tragic consequences.

The incident - in which Mr Ramsbotham struck his head on a post at the edge of the road, and lost control of his Suzuki motorcycle, resulting in the bike mounting the roadside bank and cart wheeling in to several spectators and marshals - was considered by many witnesses to have been unforeseen. However, the consequential loss of life, and horrific physical and mental injuries suffered by the survivors, may, on the evidence presented, have been so easily avoided.

In can not be disputed that motorcycle racing is dangerous, and even more so when it takes place on public road courses, or that there is also an element of risk to spectators; who are able, and like, to get close up to the action. This is part of what makes the TT the exciting spectacle for which it is renowned the world over.

Yet the course should not be any more unsafe to ride, marshal or observe than it needs to be.

Therefore, whilst not wishing to pre-empt Coroner Michael Moyle’s verdict expected next week, it is probably inexcusable that so many elementary mistakes appear to have been made over such a long period of time. Mr Moyle has already warned that his report will probably make unhappy reading for some parties.

The Inquest heard evidence that the road closure orders, issued by the Dept of Transport, had probably identified the wrong area for a spectator prohibition, at the 26^th Milestone or Joey’s, for the last 11 years. It heard how there were disputes as to who was responsible for putting up the ‘prohibited area’ signage and who was responsible for checking the signs were there.

There were disputes about whether the information on the prohibited area was provided to the marshals, or whether they had overlooked it.

Perhaps it was not to be unexpected that several witnesses would deny it was their responsibility - even though it was made clear by Mr Moyle that no manslaughter charges were being pursued - and perhaps even less unexpected that the ‘Big Chiefs’, in denying their culpability, appeared to infer it was most likely the ‘Indians’ were the ones at fault.