MTTV archive: Summerland 41: policemans story 2.8.2014

The untold story of a serving policeman in 1973 who takes us though his traumatic account of the Summerland fire. What he did and how he had to deal with events after the event.
Isle of Man TV channel - produced by Paul Moulton for PMC-TV

[@webspaghetti]

I think we should give credit to how eloquently this man recounted what must be an awful memory to carry.

[@98Tabster]

He’s a wonderful man and I completely agree with you. He tells the dreadful story in such a composed way. What an awful ordeal for a young policeman.

[@maryjames3318]

The building was beautiful inside. It was only by the grace of God my family was not in there that night as we had instead decided to go to the pictures. RIP

[@clareobrien3265]

Talk about sliding doors. I bet you often shudder about what might have been.

[@levi501ize]

yes, we went to peel for fish a chips. after being at a royal ag show that day. wanted to go that night but not allowed and only 13 years old.

[@grumpyoldgirl8582]

Same here. Me & my friend went to see MASH at the cinema.

[@hebneh]

This man says he had never been inside before, and he and other emergency workers would have benefitted from some kind of disaster-preparedness training there. From what I've heard others say, and from what I've read, nobody anywhere was prepared for a fire, nor had the building itself even been designed or built to cope with such a possibility. And like everywhere in the world, it takes a disaster to force people to make changes and to plan ahead.

[@memorialled_zeppelin-warew1346]

I remember at age 15 holidaying on the Iisle Of Man. My friend of mine and I went wandering around near where we were stayimg. And came across a strange structure. Or what had once been a large building. My friend and I were like wonder what this place was it looks really strange. My friend said ..probably a old hotel or something. Unbeknown to us. We had stumbled APON what was left of the ruins of Summerland. When we asked around we came across 2 older people who told us about the strange ruins we came across. I was born the same year this happened. And the thought that what's left of this place is still there makes me feel sick. Why don't they just pull down that damned place. It's nothing but horrific for.those who lost loved ones. And a thorn in the side of the survivors.

[@andrewcowin3055]

You must have been there in 1988 ... the place was rebuilt soon after the Fire and wasnt pulled down until I think 2005 so the ruins you found must have been something else?

[@memorialled_zeppelin-warew1346]

@@andrewcowin3055 We talked to locals. They seemed very sure. And the thing we found had burn scars and smoke scaring. But who knows. It could have easily been some other remains. Either way it's horrible what happened at Summerland. So many people killed so many others so badly hurt.

[@endtimeslastdays7777]

Some emergency people were dragging and bumping the heads as they dragged, the deceased. This is terrible and disrespectful! Have care, compassion and respect for those who passed away

[@DuckyVR193]

He’s my step grandad

[@blackjockofmangertonpele]

M.E.R yard = Manx Electric Railway