Poor preparation for tragic Nijmegen walk 03/10/2006 00:00

3 October 2006

AMSTERDAM — An investigation into the deaths of two people during this year's Nijmegen Four Day Walk has found that the city and its emergency services were well prepared, but outlying municipalities were not.

The investigation on commission from Nijmegen Mayor Guusje ter Horst has indicated emergency services had insufficient expertise to offer advice over the consequences of extreme heat.

There was also a lack of ambulances in the area to offer assistance and investigators have advised that all emergency units be immediately placed on stand-by at the start of future events.

The investigation also advised organisers to draw up a plan listing what actions should be taken in the case of extreme heat. No such plan currently exists.

It said further that the responsibilities of the municipality, the organisation, emergency services and hikers should be more clearly spelled out.

In future, individual rather than collective responsibility will be emphasised.

The municipal investigation also urged for the creation of a central reporting room where all emergency services can be co-ordinated from.

Two people died and dozens were treated in hospital as the Nijmegen Four Day Walk was staged in blistering July heat this year.

The tragic events led organisers to cancel the rest of the event.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Dutch news