Tragedy and the media
By Andy Pearson
The tragedy of a schoolboy’s death at a North Wales theme park has touched everyone who’s heard about it.
Media coverage indicates that it was the last thing expected by the owners of Gwynedd’s Greenwood Forest Park Centre.
They were quick to explain to journalists that Easter Sunday’s zip wire horror was being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and that equipment checks had shown it to be in good condition.
They said: “We have always put safety as our number one priority and we are determined to understand fully what has happened.”
In the circumstances this was the right thing to do.
Businesses which believe they have nothing to hide in the shadow of tragedy should communicate in a clear, structured manner with the media.
To varying extents, this will help all those touched by the disaster cope with some difficult days.
In this case, the boy’s family is offered hope that everything will be done to deliver an explanation, the park’s employees are given firm leadership, the public is kept informed and the media is assisted in telling a story without having to resort to speculation.
Let’s hope the HSE can conduct a swift, efficient and satisfactory study.
Tags: Cardiff, Greenwood, Gwynedd, HSE, PR, PR agency, theme park, zip wire
