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Ironic news story of the day - crowd swept away at a surf contest ?

  • 14-02-2010 10:50am
    #1
    Pacing Mule
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,075 ✭✭✭


    I thought this was ironic :) Nobody died so it's ok to make fun of it I hope :p

    California News (KFSN) -- The picturesque shores of Northern California turned into a nightmare for dozens of spectators swept away by waves at the Mavericks surf contest. One hour into the Maverick's Surf competition, what one official called a rogue wave breached the jetty off pillar point near half moon bay, sweeping scores of spectators into the ocean. "I was not expecting a wave to 3 feet over the levee and wash us away," said David Hopper, a spectator.


    The surf destroyed scaffolding and the scoreboard. The crowd was stunned by the wave and there was more. A second, then a third wave crashed over the breakwater, inundating the concession stands nearby. "We all went up on tables, people grabbed counters and poles and watched half our stuff float out of the booth," a vendor Steven Davidson said.
    "Very chaotic, people grabbing children trying to climb up the cliff side grabbing the mud," Jenny Keay said.



    Officials began evacuating that portion of the beach and golf carts were used to ferry the injured to a triage area, where 8 ambulances treated numerous people, including several with broken bones. "This has always been a major problem for us at Mavericks, getting ambulances to people who are hurt because of the crowd," said Rick LaMark, San Mateo County Paramedics Supervisor.



    Hundreds of people left the area, many opting to hike to cliff top viewing points. The beach was clearly marked with signs warning of dangerous waves and surf. Witnesses say people did not listen to announcements made over the loudspeakers to stay away from the water's edge. Locals said Saturday's surf was unusually treacherous.

    (Copyright ©2010 KFSN-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

    Video here

    Nothing up on youtube so could not embed one.


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Free surfing lessons! :)


  • #3
    bonerm
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,595 ✭✭✭bonerm


    (0:52) "I was not expecting a wave to come 3ft over the levee and wash us away". <- I love when Americans say stuff like this like it's a major revelation.



    "I was not expecting two planes to fly directly into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre".
    - An American on 9/11


  • #4
    minidazzler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,739 ✭✭✭✭minidazzler


    I fail to see the irony?


  • #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    minidazzler wrote: »
    I fail to see the irony?

    Yeah! It's about as ironic as being hit by a car while watching a motor race.


  • #6
    Pacing Mule
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,075 ✭✭✭Pacing Mule


    minidazzler wrote: »
    I fail to see the irony?

    Surfing enthusiasts don't expect big waves at surf contest.

    Surfing enthusiasts didn't bring their surf boards for the one time in their life they actually needed them.

    Vendors selling surfing related products see them float away.

    There's loads of irony there - get your head out of the sand ( watch out for the big wave on it's way in though ) :)


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