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Worried about children at May 24

( Photo by Glenn Tucker)The PHC Majorettes and Drum Corp make their way through Cedar Avenue during the 2012 Bermuda Day Heritage Parade. A letter writer has highlighted some areas of concern in the parade, such as having young participants sometimes being in close proximity to large-wheeled trucks.

A May 24 dangerMay 31, 2012Dear Sir,I must write this letter as its content has been on my mind since the May 24 parade.Our ever popular parade is growing in size. I enjoyed watching it from various points in the city. I couldn’t help noticing the increase in youngsters taking part, and some so tiny.A horrible thought came into my mind on a number of occasions as I saw danger looming with the large trucks and articulated vehicles versus these children. Those large wheels, although moving so slowly, could roll over a child, and the driver - due to all the excitement and noise - would not even know. I saw children walking up far too close to some vehicles, some right in front of them.Another danger I observed was on Front Street where a driver abandoned his truck and ran into a nearby premises leaving a child playing with the controls. The horror that would have transpired had that child knocked off the handbrake or knocked it into gear can easily be imagined. Oh, there was another adult in the cabin but she was totally unaware of what the child was doing until a man dashed from the crowd to speak to them. The driver returned a few seconds later, oblivious to what had transpired.I strongly recommend that the event organisers insist that a firm skirt, maybe of plywood, be attached to the perimeter of the vehicle leaving a clearance of a couple of inches which would prevent any person getting caught under the wheels and insist that if a driver does have to leave a vehicle, that children are not in the cabin.JOHN DALEPembroke