IDIOTIC thrillseekers
THEWAY ISEEIT... Wisewords fromourfeisty, fearless andfunny columnist
‘They call them ‘thrill-seekers’ – people who do dangerous sports or daring and daft things. You see them falling off buildings, dying on mountains, drowning in treacherous surf and rip tides. They are, more often than not, warned in advance of the dangers of what they’re about to do – but do it anyway.
As happened last week, with the four idiots who clambered up Ben Nevis in trainers and cagoules in a blizzard – despite a severe weather warning being in place. Inevitably, the temperature dropped to -20°C and they all nearly lost their lives.
They were stupid beyond belief to be so badly prepared and to ignore the warnings, but they didn’t die because they were rescued by some selfless human beings whose lives were also put at risk because of their negligence.
I really don’t understand the mindset of those who do dangerous things for their own personal need for an adrenaline rush – oh, and to show off.
I’m talking about people who go potholing, cave-diving, or any other pointless, meaningless ‘sport’ which is, in my view, dangerous. Ones that can only possibly be indulged in in the knowledge that if anything goes wrong, they will be rescued, although not always successfully. Which is fine, if that’s how they want to die – but it’s not fine when it risks the lives of those who are charged with picking up the pieces.
I think something should be put in place to make people pay for the time, resources and risk that goes into saving their stupid lives. Maybe if they knew they’d be facing a hefty bill if they got into trouble, they might think twice before doing it. But then again, maybe not.