XN000022-1996-02-10+11 — Page 2

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Transcript of Governor's media session

Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after visiting victims of the Pat Sin Range hill fire at the Prince of Wales Hospital today (Saturday):- -

Governor: When my wife and I heard about today's appalling accident, we wanted to come to the hospital to offer our sympathy to the parents and families of those who have been injured and to thank the medical staff who are giving such marvellous treatment to the casualties of today's disaster. We've seen the parents and met the medical staff in the Intensive Care Unit where six of the children are receiving treatment and also met the staff and in the Burns Unit where two of the children are receiving treatment. One other casualty is in the neuro surgery department and I think one other in serious condition. As you would expect the teams looking after these young people are working flat out, giving them the best possible, most professional attention. I am sure the whole community will be grateful for that. I would like to offer my sympathy not only to the relatives and families of those who have been injured, but my condolences to those who've been bereaved, who have lost loved ones. It's been an awful disaster. we will obviously want, in the days and weeks ahead, to learn any lessons that may be required to try to avoid anything like this happening again. But, of course, it's impossible to rule out every accident in life. The Education Department produce guidelines every year, covering school outings like this. We will have to see whether more is required. What I think is important that all the parents and families of the injured should know is that they will receive all the support that is required and they won't need to worry about the treatment which their children are receiving. I know the whole community will be joining me in thanking the medical staff and in offering sympathy to the injured and their families.

Question: What lessons are to be learned in this accident?

Governor: Look, this has just happened. It doesn't make very much sense for any of us whether Government, Fire Service. doctors, Education Department, Governor or journalists to start jumping to conclusions. We've got to, first of all, deal with the poor children and teachers and so on who have been affected by this disaster and then in due course you would expect us, in the most open way, to try to find out whether there are lessons for us to learn. But it would be grossly irresponsible for anyone to try jumping to conclusions within hours of this disaster when we don't even know all the facts, when there is still one person missing and one was still not sure about the condition of another victim who has been brought into the hospital.

Question: Were you face to face to talk with the parents?

Governor: Yes.