HOW ironic that St. John Ambulance Brigade should find itself in the headlines this week for all the wrong reasons having served Bermuda sports so well for so many years.

There can be few organisations that have given so much, so freely to so many and all the time remained virtually anonymous.

When was the last time any of our governing bodies publicly offered thanks for the services carried out by the St. John men and women, who turn out at a multitude of events just about every week of the year, rain, wind or shine.

They go about their volunteer work professionally, efficiently, without fuss and often without recognition.

Yet in their absence, many of the Island's activities - motorsports in particular - would never be able to function.

The first aid services they provide have in the past been life-saving, and there's no telling how many injuries suffered during the course of physical activity on the field, on the track, on the road or in the water could have been much more serious had the St. John medics not been on hand to give assistance.

What transpired at Coney Island during last Sunday's motocross event was unfortunate as one can understand the reaction and the subsequent emotions of the parents who saw their young son lying on the track injured, and apparently not receiving attention.

And there's no doubt that the abuse they directed at St. John personnel who, as it turned out were attending to an incident elsewhere, was uttered in the heat of the moment.

They have since apologised and officials of St. John, who decided to leave Coney Island forcing the meet to be abandoned, have accepted that apology, indicating that service will be resumed as normal at the next meet.

As a St. John official noted this week, it's incumbent on motocross organisers to immediately halt racing whenever an accident occurs in order that medical assistance can be provided in a safe environment, and in order that further accidents don't occur while medics are already attending to the initial victim.

And that policy has to be enforced by all motorsports.

Hopefully last week's incident will serve as a wake-up call to all those sports who rely heavily on the voluntary attendance of St. John.

With so many activities taking place each weekend in Bermuda, the part-time brigade have to choose their events carefully. Those organisations that are graced with their presence should be deeply grateful.

Certainly, St. John have no obligation to attend any sport where they are not going to be made welcome.

And any more incidents such as that last week, and they couldn't be blamed for exercising that option.

- ADRIAN ROBSON