In this week, the death of two (or maybe one, or maybe three, it’s yet to be established) has, for the residents of my tiny but lovely seaside town been as important, or moreso, than the death of Steve Jobs.
This afternoon, a car containing we know not how many people drove so fast that it burst through three metal barriers into the River Blyth at the mouth of the North Sea in Southwold Harbour. Whatever impelled its driver to do so was filling that car as it drove down Southwold High Street, leaving a contrail of sadness throughout the heart of the town.
The first most of us knew of it was sirens wailing: a police car, followed by a marine rescue support car, then an ambulance. In the half hour that followed, ambulances, helicopters and civilian lifeboatmen scrambled along that trail, and we watched perplexed as butcher, carpenter and doctor drove stern-faced to the harbour mouth.
I happened to be in a meeting with an Archant employee: we were talking about a new business award that could unite Norfolk and Suffolk. Our meeting was broken by a call from his editor, who sent him back to cub reporter days with a mobile phone camera and notepad to catch the news first. I drove him to the harbour: fortunately few people were there apart from the emergency services.
What struck me was how many of them were Specials and Reserves. Don the uniform and they become stern, capable and emotionally disconnected: I refuse to believe that someone who is only a part time policemen or lifeboatman is inured to sorrowful, passionate death. But to a man (and many of them women) they were calm. I salute them, and hope they have spouses who can listen.
The car has not, as far as I know, been recovered. Part of me wonders whether it should be. I imagine we will find out who they are, and we will all mourn them. But all we know at the moment is that Southwold is now someone’s sorrowful end, and that many people flocked to save them.
I wish those who died well, and a warm next step; and those who tried to saved them, thanks and comfort.
Very moving! R.I.P.