Coroner criticises TT officials

[Bob]

A coroner has criticised officials at the TT as the inquest into deaths of racers and spectators reached its conclusion in Norfolk.

Michael Moyle said that if warning if the site of the crash, the 26th Milestone, had been properly marshalled and closed off, the lives of the spectators “would have been spared”. He said: “Members of the public may be astonished not only at the number of failings but the gravity of them,” adding there had been “considerable and wholesale failings in the system designed to ensure the safety of spectators was paramount”.

He said he had no powers to ban race officials and marshals but he said he hoped they would “do the decent and honourable thing” and not play any significant role in the future of racing.

Mr Moyle also attacked the DoT, saying “If the DoT had deliberately set out to make themselves a laughing stock they could not have done a better job of it.”

During the hearing, Mr Moyle heard there was confusion about whether the area around the 26th Milestone should have had signs prohibiting spectators and, if so, who was responsible for them.

[Manxman]

Fair enough. Hopefully, the TT will be better off for it, although hope it doesn't extend to moving spectators back 1/2 mile from the action like MotoGP.

[Manxman]

Double post. D'oh.

[Bob]

Roger Hurst, the TT Chief Marshal , said he had no option but to resign following criticism from the coroner over the 2007 event when three people were killed.

He said: "Having given lengthy consideration to the remarks made by the Coroner after the recent inquest, I have no alternative but to resign from the position as Chief Marshal for TT 2008."