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FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1978
SEK KONG COMMISSION OF INQUIRY REPORT PUBLISHED
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THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT ORDINANCE IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY. IT IS PROPOSED THAT A SINGLE LICENSING AUTHORITY SHOULD CONTROL THE ISSUE OF BOTH ENTERTAINMENT LICENCES AND PERMITS. THIS FOLLOWS A STUDY OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE ACCIDENT AT SEK KONG AIRSTRIP ON JULY 1, 1977 WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION TODAY (FRIDAY). UNDER PRESENT LEGISLATION THE EVENT AT SEK KONG DID NOT REQUIRE A LICENCE OR A PERMIT.
THE ACCIDENT AT THE SEK KONG AIRSTRIP TOOK PLACE ON JULY 1, 1977, DURING AN OUTSIDE BROADCAST ORGANISED BY TVB LTD.
MR. JUSTICE ZIMMERN WAS APPOINTED TO CONDUCT A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE EVENTS, IN WHICH TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND OTHERS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE COLLAPSE OF A BAMBOO STAND DURING A MOTOR-CYCLE SHOW,
IN HIS REPORT THE COMMISSIONER HELD THE ORGANISER OF THE EVENT ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTRY INTO THE AREA OF A LARGE CROWD BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE FOUND THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE ATTRACTED TO THE AIRSTRIP BY THE SUBSTANTIAL PRE-PUBLICITY GIVEN TO THE EVENT BY THE ORGANISERS.
THE COMMISSIONER DESCRIBED THE SITUATION BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WEIGHT OF THE CROWD ON THE SCAFFOLDINGS, WHICH HAD BEEN ERECTED ONLY FOR LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, CAMERAS AND CAMERAMEN, WAS MANY TIMES GREATER THAN IT HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO CARRY.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO EXPRESSED THE OPINION THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO HAVE HELD THE LONG JUMP EVENT OF THE MOTOR-CYCLE SHOW SO CLOSE TO A CROWD OF SPECTATORS, WHO WERE UNPROTECTED AND UNCONTROLLED.
THE REPORT CRITICISED SOME ASPECTS OF THE POLICE ARRANGEMENTS MADE ON THAT OCCASION. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAS SINCE
INVESTIGATED THESE CRITICISMS AND WILL INTRODUCE SUCH CHANGES TO PAST PRACTICE AS ARE NECESSARY TO MEET THEM.
THE COMMISSIONER EMPHASIZED THAT THE AIRSTRIP SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE USED FOR RECREATIONAL EVENTS WHEN IT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR ANY MILITARY OR PUBLIC PURPOSE.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT AN INDEPENDENT CONTROLLING BODY SHOULD BE APPOINTED FOR MOTOR SPORTS TO ENSURE THAT HIGH STANDARDS OF SAFETY ARE MAINTAINED BY COMPETITORS.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INITIATE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TELEVISION COMPANIES AND OTHERS CONCERNED ON THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN TELEVISION BROADCASTS ARE MADE OF EVENTS ATTENDED BY SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE PURSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING.
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