Re: [NSW] V set a/c fire--The Sydney Morning Herald

["Mitch" <webmaster@nos-pam.mitch.zzn.com>]

The SMH took all the meat out of your letter! I like the original version
better!


"Chris Downs" <cvdowns@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
czag5.50531$N4.1725611@ozemail.com.au">news:czag5.50531$N4.1725611@ozemail.com.au...
> For the masochists among us, my original letter to the SMH is shown below.
>
> "26 July 2000
>
> Dear Sir/Madam,
>
> "Fire traps train commuters", Herald 26 July, sounds good but it's a lie.
> When the affected train stopped last night the train's crew took quick
> action to escort passengers from the first two carriages to the rear two
> carriages.  As one of the last passengers to exit the lead car I saw wisps
> of smoke (brought into the first carriage by the air-conditioning) but
> there was no indication the fire was seated in or had spread to the
> air-conditioning - it appeared to be contained in the rooftop equipment
> that powers the carriage.
>
> The passengers in the second last car responded well to the crew's
> directions and were well aware they were removed from the fire, ie. they
> weren't at risk.  The crew appeared to be organising an orderly evacuation
> via the last carriage after having ensured all other trains were stopped
> and our train was securely braked.
>
> Some passengers became agitated when police smashed windows to gain access
> to the train as the normal passenger doors were locked - a dramatic but
> understandable move by police taking a worst case scenario approach, but
> this appeared to cause more panic than the fire had. Once clear of the
> train it was evident that the fire was restricted to the lead car and
> posed no immediate threat, either through flames or smoke, to the last two
> cars and therefore any passengers.
>
> The police did an excellent job recording people's names (as they are
> required to do) and injecting some levity while we waited.  The ambulance
> officers and the fire brigade appeared equally excellent in the execution
> of their duties.  CityRail organised alternative transport as quickly as
> possible.
>
> Your erroneous reporting of the matter makes me wonder how reliable your
> other news items are or is your ignorance, or is it bias, restricted to
> reporting CityRail incidents?  Thankfully yesterday evening's passengers
> had a firmer grip on reality.
>
> Chris Downs"
>
> Chris Downs <cvdowns@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
> 0DSf5.49446$N4.1699839@ozemail.com.au">news:0DSf5.49446$N4.1699839@ozemail.com.au...
> > There is a story to everything!
> >
> > I composed the letter to the SMH's Letters Editor 1st thing Wednesday
> > morning and shot it off by e-mail.  I received a call later in the day
to
> > say that the letter was shortlisted but that it was too long (I sent off
a
> > 300 word letter knowing this was an issue when the paper's preferred
> length
> > is 200 words).
> >
> > The Editor and I negotiated over the contents (damn hard to envisage
> changes
> > suggested in rapid fire.  The Editor actually suggested I accept changes
> > without having then read back to me!).  The Editor also questioned my
> > reference to the headline "Fire traps train commuters" and said that was
> not
> > the headline used and that my reference had to be changed.  I said it
was
> > correct so they added "first edition" to the reference.  I also stated
> that
> > the headline was a lie, the Editor responded that the reporter was not
> lying
> > but that the statement may be untrue!  She also suggested the line "I
was
> > there." cringe cringe cringe in lieu of my longer winded explanation but
I
> > had to compromise.
> >
> > Other things the Editor did was change my observations to statements of
> > fact.  Also removed my reference to CityRail's speedy organisation of
> > alternate transport.
> >
> > My choice was no letter or a compromised one, I chose the compromise.
> >
> > If I remember I'll post my original letter tomorrow (as sent to the SMH)
> for
> > comparative purposes.  It provides an interesting insight into the way
> > papers work.
> >
> > Finally (almost), CityRail rang me at work yesterday to ensure I was ok.
> > Very good to see.
> >
> > As an aside there was snow next to the tracks between Woodford and
> > Hazelbrook this afternoon - it must have been bloody cold today!  The
snow
> > was pelting down at Leura at 2100 last night, fourth time this winter.
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > Hubert Lam <hubert@imap4.com> wrote in message
> > 8lolka$umi$1@nnrp1.deja.com">news:8lolka$umi$1@nnrp1.deja.com...
> > > In the Herald 27/7/2000, Chris Down's letter criticising the
inaccuracy
> > > of its coverage on the fire in the a/c unit earlier this week has been
> > > published. Congrats on Chris for pointing out the truth--and shows
even
> > > the SMH can be just as inaccurate as the Terrorgraph.
> > >
> > > Hubert
> > > 27/7/2000 4:44pm
> > >
> > >
> > > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> > > Before you buy.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>