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THE SAD and stunning news of the
accident in Wales came on the Sunday evening of what should have
been a happy and exciting week-end. Four boys had set out, along
with others in the town, to participate in a hike, which was
organized for the Silver section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award
Scheme. Towards the end of the hike mist and rain descended on the
Brecons and David was separated from the remainder of the party. At
the inquest it was stated that some time previously David had picked
up a virus, which may have contributed to a large extent to the
accident.
Recriminations, blames, are out of
place. David has gone and no amount of talk can bring him back. We
must learn from the past, we must still retain the sense of
adventure, but it must be adventure tinged with caution.
Although David had only been in
the School twelve months, he had been here quite long enough to make
a sizeable contribution to the life of Goldings. A printer by trade
and a footballer for enjoyment, he had represented the School at
soccer and basketball, and his House (Pelham) at soccer, cricket,
and athletics.
With the death of David Abdi I
shall miss a smiling face, a quick humour, but above all I shall
miss a friend. I am certain that the staff and boys will join with
me in offering sympathy to David's mother and family. Let us also be
thankful that we had the pleasure of knowing David.
G. R. Brooks.
From the editorial summer 65
I am sure it will
come as a great shock to many of our readers to learn of the
untimely death of one of our boys while on an adventure course. Mr.
Brooks has written an admirable appreciation about David, and no
additional words of mine can lessen the tragedy. Fortunately nature
does not insist that we dwell on these fatalities, but one cannot
emphasise too strongly, that when one undertakes adventure training,
and unfortunately far too few do, the rules of the game must be
followed. Let us not forget either, the terrible shock suffered by
David's companions and his old P.E. master and Youth Officer, in
charge of the expedition
Mr. Newton. The irony of the situation is unparalleled.
The goldonian summer 1965
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