Uhtred Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I'll ask it...if no one else will. How many parents of a 14 year old don't know who they are with at 11 PM on a Saturday night? Far too many I fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wann Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I say again - not relevant. Certainly not appropriate to use such hyperbole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Git Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Statement from Facebook - Julie Porter THIS IS MY FINAL CLOSING STATEMENT ON LUCIA'S ACCIDENT Myself and all the family have been utterly overwhelmed with the support that has been shown by so many people. It is difficult to put into words how all the kind messages, texts and phone calls have lifted us up throughout what has surely been the darkest point in our lives. Unbelievable to think that our tragedy has touched so many people – friends and strangers alike. I also want to state publicly that I make no apologies whatsoever for sharing the ‘celebratory’ picture of Craig Bridgewater and his friends. I feel that this image (which was posted on FB for everyone to view) epitomises the complete lack of remorse that has been shown by, not only Craig, but most of his friends and some members of his family. We have sat in the Waiting Room throughout numerous court appearances and seen these people laugh, smile and joke and having a complete disregard for our feelings. I exclude Miss Emma Bridgewater from this who has maintained a dignified and respectful stance throughout. I also add a personal ‘thank you’ to the one person on that image that was ashamed enough to apologise to me. I find it extremely difficult to move on from this but, in order to keep my own sanity, I will have to draw a line underneath everything and attempt to put the broken bits slowly back together. I feel sickened that, in some media releases, Craig Bridgewater has been portrayed as someone who – through purely bad luck and without intention – took the life of my daughter. The facts are that he willingly drove the vehicle, which contained 7 additional passengers, knowing that he held no license nor insurance. Only 2 people were afforded the luxury of a seat belt (him being one) and, despite that, he drove to one of the most notorious stretches of road on the Isle of Man. At the start of the Swithback Road there is an advisory speed limit of 40 mph. Within one tenth of a mile, of passing this, the car was was travelling at 67 miles an hour. This was with an overloaded vehicle and limited driving experience. When he went over the second bump he braked slightly, and his speed dropped to 58 mph. After accelerating again he reached a top speed of 69.5 mph and after clearing the last of the 3 Sisters the car was now airborne and barrel rolling out of control. Fatalities at this speed are almost inevitable and, if I thank god for one thing, it is that Lucia was the only one that wouldn’t return to her family. To think of somebody else enduring this ordeal that we now live with gives me no pleasure at all. These speeds were read out publicly in court and were obtained by a Specialist Crash Investigation Team that the police bought over to the island. They were confirmed by a secondary report which actually re-enacted the crash. Using an identical vehicle with the exact weight of passengers (distributed exactly as it was on the night) and confirmed the findings.Even though these figures are deemed ‘accurate’ they are not an ‘exact science’ and, for this reason, the Prosecution chose to not include the speeding issue in their argument. Had they have done so the Deemster indicated that he would have been ‘inclined to agree with them’. I have seen the posts that drugs played a part and can confirm that indeed they did. Two passengers in the car had taken drugs but Craig Bridgewater (and Lucia) had not taken any drugs or alcohol. Beyond that I don’t feel it appropriate to ‘name and shame’. To give Craigs family some closure there will not be any appeal as we are unable to drag this out any further as the entire ordeal has taken everything I have. Thanks again to everyone for their support. Julie & Family 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monasqueen Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Thanks for posting that OG. It makes the situation abundantly clear. Lucia's mother has shown considerable bravery in putting those words together, and it is to be hoped that she, and the rest of the family, will be allowed some respect and allowed to try and pick up the pieces of their lives. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc.fixit Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 (edited) no insurance didn't contribute to the crash, no licence didn't contribute directly if he actually knew how to drive a vehicle. all a licence proves is you passed a test to drive around in a legal manner, having a licence doesn't stop you driving like a knob and showing off. you can pass your test, get banned for drink driving ten years later and have your licence taken away but you still have the knowledge of how to drive. even if he actually had a suitable licence and insurance it wouldn't magically prevent the vehicle from crashing in the manner/circumstances it was being driven in! the real issues are speed, over loaded/too much weight in the vehicle, and driving beyond his skills and road layout / conditions. then you have the agravating factor of the attitude after the accident and the run round the police were given, possibly not all his idea as the car owner would have been having a few kittens himself. the kid fucked up with his input into a tragic accident but sadly continued to fuck up afterwards with his attitude when he ought to have been apologising, seeking forgiveness and throwing himself at the mercy of all those affected instead of being a bolshy toss pot !!. i suspect if he had his time over again after the accident he would put his hands up in a very humble and remorseful manner. Edited November 27, 2014 by WTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxy Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 If young people drive foolishly and little or no thought given to the consequences of their actions, could I put forward a suggestion that may have an affect on people in the future? I'd like to put forward for discussion; that before people apply for their provisional licences, that they have to undertake a safety awareness course that demonstrates the dangers as like the Fire Brigade used to do. Consideration of their age might be a factor, but it's just the basic idea I'm initially suggesting and to see whether people think this is reasonable or not? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Young people already have to prove that on a driving test. The driving test doesn't cover being a tit the day or week after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jefferson Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Just raise the age to 21. There's no need for teenagers to drive when we have a perfectly good public bus service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wankleaks Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 If young people drive foolishly and little or no thought given to the consequences of their actions, could I put forward a suggestion that may have an affect on people in the future? I'd like to put forward for discussion; that before people apply for their provisional licences, that they have to undertake a safety awareness course that demonstrates the dangers as like the Fire Brigade used to do. Consideration of their age might be a factor, but it's just the basic idea I'm initially suggesting and to see whether people think this is reasonable or not? Thank you You appear to be more than a bit obsessed with the fire brigade. Even if the fire brigade gave every new driver a big certificate to hang on the wall it would not make any difference to the road safety standards that apply in the island or to young driver deaths. This looks to have been a very irresponsible act by a group of people and one person in particular. It would be hard to see what impact a fire brigade presentation would have on the outcome. That Facebook post says it all really. There isn't really any need to comment further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Just raise the age to 21. There's no need for teenagers to drive when we have a perfectly good public bus service.You can be a tit after 21. How old are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Git Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 i suspect if he had his time over again after the accident he would put his hands up in a very humble and remorseful manner. There was over eight months between causing her death and the court sentencing to show some humility and remorse He didn't. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Border Terrier Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 If young people drive foolishly and little or no thought given to the consequences of their actions, could I put forward a suggestion that may have an affect on people in the future? I'd like to put forward for discussion; that before people apply for their provisional licences, that they have to undertake a safety awareness course that demonstrates the dangers as like the Fire Brigade used to do. Consideration of their age might be a factor, but it's just the basic idea I'm initially suggesting and to see whether people think this is reasonable or not? Thank you > ...that they have to undertake a safety awareness course that demonstrates the dangers as like the Fire Brigade used to do. The Fire Brigade may not be best placed to lecture on safety... Tragic circumstances regarding the loss of life; but I don't think there's anything to be gained by increasing the custodial sentence. It may be a smart move to advocate a life term if he repeats the same behaviour once released. TBT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jefferson Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Just raise the age to 21. There's no need for teenagers to drive when we have a perfectly good public bus service.You can be a tit after 21. How old are you? 73. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Just raise the age to 21. There's no need for teenagers to drive when we have a perfectly good public bus service. You can be a tit after 21. How old are you? 73. No...how old are you?...not the last IQ test result. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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