If the food cupboard in Haapsalu, which was overturned by the raging storm wind on November 1, had buried the woman under it in such a way that the injured person could not call for help on the phone, the accident could have had much sadder consequences. For now, it can be said that despite the serious injuries, it was still a lucky accident. The victim has been treated in two hospitals for two weeks and his life is no longer in danger.
Hindsight is an exact science, but unfortunately, this science cannot be applied immediately. Namely, this is not the first time that a strong wind has pushed down the food cabinet between the post office and the A&T electrical store in Haapsalu. During the October storm last year, the incident ended more happily, because no one was hurt that time. However, the lesson that storm winds can push the cabinet to the ground was not learned.
Already a year ago, it was clear that the pantry, which stands in the wind corridor and whose sail surface is further increased by the solar panel on its roof, needs to be attached to the ground more firmly than before. But even after the second and much more unfortunate fall, the apple-shaped legs of the pantry are still attached to the stone paving with tiny screws.
Anyone who shares mechanics understands that this is a dangerous object. Maybe this cabinet is in the wrong place in the wind corridor or is poorly attached? Now, however, so much has been learned that the cabinet is pulled to a nearby tree with a load strap.
Whose business is it to ensure the safety of urban space? On the one hand, it is a city property. On the other hand, the city has rented out the property for its intended use, and the food pantry is currently being managed by the NGO Läänemaa Food Recycling Cabinet. But from whom can the victim claim damages? From whom can the health insurance fund claim the medical expenses of the victim? It’s not a penny – the costs reach thousands of euros, and the amount of damage will probably increase even more.
The post Editorial: life-threatening urban space appeared first on Lääne Elu.
2024-11-16 06:07:00
#Editorial #lifethreatening #urban #space
How has the community’s support for the victim been received, and what further assistance is being organized for her recovery?
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. We’re here with [Guest’s Name], a representative from the Haapsalu community, to discuss the recent incident involving the overturned food cupboard during the storm on November 1. Can you start by telling us what happened that day?
**Guest:** Thank you for having me. On November 1, Haapsalu experienced severe storm winds, which unfortunately led to a tragic accident when a food cupboard was knocked over. A woman was trapped beneath it. Thankfully, despite suffering serious injuries, she was able to survive this ordeal.
**Interviewer:** That sounds terrifying. Thankfully, the victim was found and has since been receiving treatment. Can you tell us about her current condition?
**Guest:** Yes, she has been in two different hospitals over the past two weeks. While her injuries were serious, I’m relieved to say that her life is no longer in danger. Medical teams are optimistic about her recovery, which is a great relief for all of us in the community.
**Interviewer:** It’s a relief to hear that she is out of immediate danger. Were there any safety measures in place that could have prevented the incident?
**Guest:** The storm was unprecedented and caught many of us off guard. While we have protocols for severe weather, this event was particularly extreme. After the accident, we’re reviewing our safety measures to ensure that community structures, like food cupboards, are secured against such high winds in the future.
**Interviewer:** That’s an important step forward. Has the community come together in any way to support the victim during her recovery?
**Guest:** Absolutely. The community has rallied around her, offering support through donations and assistance with her recovery. We’ve also set up a fund to help her with medical expenses, as well as any other needs she might have during her recovery.
**Interviewer:** It’s heartwarming to see the community coming together. What message would you like to send to others who might face similar incidents in severe weather?
**Guest:** I just want to remind everyone to take severe weather warnings seriously. Prepare in advance, secure outdoor structures, and always have a plan in place. Our community is strong, but it’s vital that we all take precautions to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, [Guest’s Name], for sharing this important information with us. We wish the victim a speedy recovery and commend the Haapsalu community for their support during this challenging time.
