RE: Peppered at Le Mans
Discussion
Rakki said:Welcome Rakki
Having never been to LM before, didn't quite know what to expect... ended up having a fab time, but there were one or two low points for me....
I'm sorry to hear the Pepperspray incident was so bad.
I wonder, would there not be grounds for an official complaint to the ACO over this?
I hope the two incidents don't put you off attending in 2005.
Better late than never......
I was one of the group that got hit with the pepper spray on the road next to Car park Bleu on the Friday night.
To say it came as a bit of a surprise, is some kind of massive understatement!!
I was actually looking down the road to Arnarge when the police van went past. I felt something splash on my face, and just as I was thinking, "That's a really dumb idea to spray the van with water..." the spray reacted, and there was a strong burning sensation.
I was lucky, in that only one side of my face got hit, so I could see with one eye. Looking around, I could see a dozen or so people on the floor, some trying to throw-up - almost like a scene from WW1 trenches, rather than a crowd at a race track.
My brother Pete, was unlucky, and got caught full in the face and was completely blinded. The situation made him panic, and he went into shock.
Our first reaction, and that of those near us, was to try to wash off the spray, but that only made the sensation worse! After around 15 mins, Rakki turned-up and offered assitstance (and a jumper
) to try and help Pete calm down. She also spoke to the marshals at the campsite entrance to get an ambulance to come to our aid. Everyone was very supposrtive, and we were greatful for everyones help.
Just as we were about to leave, another guy came into the ambulance to join us - the result of another attack.
After about 2 hours at the cicuit medical centre, Pete had (just) recovered enough to walk back to the campsite and get some sleep at around 3am.
The following morning, the spray was still reacting on my face, and an attempt to wash brought back the massive burning sensation for a few minutes.
Pepper spray is nasty stuff, and to use it without any warning (and any real reason?) was just way over the top.
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The 'drag strip' on the road is usually a few hundred yards closer to Arnarge, but this year, when the police parked-up, the event moved to the other side of the campsite entrance. Things went on for another few hours with Police vans driving up and down the road every so-often, but they didn't stop, and made no indication that they wanted rid of the crowd at the sides of the road. Then we got hit.
What makes it worse now, is reading that police vans were hurling round roundabouts at other parts of the site, and were trying to join in!
It wasn't the best way to start my brother's first visit to Le Mans, but he's already saving for next year!
(sorry for the ramblings - perhaps subsequent posts on here won't be quite so long!!)
I was one of the group that got hit with the pepper spray on the road next to Car park Bleu on the Friday night.
To say it came as a bit of a surprise, is some kind of massive understatement!! I was actually looking down the road to Arnarge when the police van went past. I felt something splash on my face, and just as I was thinking, "That's a really dumb idea to spray the van with water..." the spray reacted, and there was a strong burning sensation.
I was lucky, in that only one side of my face got hit, so I could see with one eye. Looking around, I could see a dozen or so people on the floor, some trying to throw-up - almost like a scene from WW1 trenches, rather than a crowd at a race track.
My brother Pete, was unlucky, and got caught full in the face and was completely blinded. The situation made him panic, and he went into shock.
Our first reaction, and that of those near us, was to try to wash off the spray, but that only made the sensation worse! After around 15 mins, Rakki turned-up and offered assitstance (and a jumper
) to try and help Pete calm down. She also spoke to the marshals at the campsite entrance to get an ambulance to come to our aid. Everyone was very supposrtive, and we were greatful for everyones help. Just as we were about to leave, another guy came into the ambulance to join us - the result of another attack.
After about 2 hours at the cicuit medical centre, Pete had (just) recovered enough to walk back to the campsite and get some sleep at around 3am.
The following morning, the spray was still reacting on my face, and an attempt to wash brought back the massive burning sensation for a few minutes.
Pepper spray is nasty stuff, and to use it without any warning (and any real reason?) was just way over the top.
------------------------------------------------------
The 'drag strip' on the road is usually a few hundred yards closer to Arnarge, but this year, when the police parked-up, the event moved to the other side of the campsite entrance. Things went on for another few hours with Police vans driving up and down the road every so-often, but they didn't stop, and made no indication that they wanted rid of the crowd at the sides of the road. Then we got hit.
What makes it worse now, is reading that police vans were hurling round roundabouts at other parts of the site, and were trying to join in!
It wasn't the best way to start my brother's first visit to Le Mans, but he's already saving for next year!
(sorry for the ramblings - perhaps subsequent posts on here won't be quite so long!!)
ing disgrace. the fact the police were joining in the fun earlier in the evening and then did this with no warning is totally unacceptable. I think something should be said to the ACO. shnozz said:
dave - welcome to PH
all I can say is this incident was aing disgrace. the fact the police were joining in the fun earlier in the evening and then did this with no warning is totally unacceptable. I think something should be said to the ACO.
I don't understand, have not heard that anyone has reported this? Surely this is grounds for action against the police authorities in France and compensation against human rights?
Alan.
Alf Essex said:
I don't understand, have not heard that anyone has reported this? Surely this is grounds for action against the police authorities in France and compensation against human rights?
Alan.
You don't quite understand how the French police work do you?! There is no way anything would happen - not even with 100 complaints. This is France.
Whilst I cannot condone pepper spraying, particularly without warning, I think some response from the Gendarme had to be expected. I saw a few "burnouts" which were only just on the controlled side of the limit, possibly more by luck than judgement.
What would the reaction be if one of the burnouts went wrong and a car ploughed into the crowd? The potential damage that would do to the whole of the LeMans event doesn't warrant the risk in my view.
I am into having fun in cars as much as anyone else on this forum, but there is a time and a place for this type of activity, and I personally don't think it is on a relatively narrow road with people stood at the side. After all, there is no way you can stand at the side of the track for the race, for very good reason.
Non of this comment is due to being disappointed at not being encouraged to do a burnout in the diesel Citroen Berlingo I was driving this year!
What would the reaction be if one of the burnouts went wrong and a car ploughed into the crowd? The potential damage that would do to the whole of the LeMans event doesn't warrant the risk in my view.
I am into having fun in cars as much as anyone else on this forum, but there is a time and a place for this type of activity, and I personally don't think it is on a relatively narrow road with people stood at the side. After all, there is no way you can stand at the side of the track for the race, for very good reason.
Non of this comment is due to being disappointed at not being encouraged to do a burnout in the diesel Citroen Berlingo I was driving this year!
Fully understand what you mean, however I can also understand the otherside.
Everybody there (esp roundabout) knew what was going on. Unless they're total dum-dum, they all knew it's risky, and things CAN go wrong. It didn't stop them being there and stayed there. You can't have all the fun and not take any risk.
If you want total nanny state then England must be the best place. Can you see that sort of activities going on here? I think most of the French police there had been most tolerant, some even joined in with the fun!
Let grown ups decide for themselves how to balance risk and fun, I'd say.
Everybody there (esp roundabout) knew what was going on. Unless they're total dum-dum, they all knew it's risky, and things CAN go wrong. It didn't stop them being there and stayed there. You can't have all the fun and not take any risk.
If you want total nanny state then England must be the best place. Can you see that sort of activities going on here? I think most of the French police there had been most tolerant, some even joined in with the fun!
Let grown ups decide for themselves how to balance risk and fun, I'd say.
I certainly don't want a nanny state. My feeling is that if things are not slightly controlled by those involved then nanny is likely to rule things out completely - and that is not what I want to happen, just maybe somewhere with a bit more of a run off between cars and people and a one way system would be safer!
Dave_D said:
Better late than never......
..." the spray reacted, and there was a strong burning sensation.
Our first reaction, and that of those near us, was to try to wash off the spray, but that only made the sensation worse!
The following morning, the spray was still reacting on my face, and an attempt to wash brought back the massive burning sensation for a few minutes.
Pepper spray is nasty stuff, and to use it without any warning (and any real reason?) was just way over the top.
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It does not sound like pepper spray to me. These are classic symptoms of being affected or contaminated with CS spray.
Making your skin wet is the worst possible thing you can do as it re-activates the ingredients in the spray. The very best way to deal with it is to get someone to fan the affected area with cool air which blows the crystals away.
CS is not a liquid but small crystals which adhere to damp parts of the body! Having dried that area, the crystals detach and blow away.
Normally 20 minutes of proper care sees the symptoms disappear.
Agreed it is not nice stuff
Dear all
To add my three pennorth (after 8 years at LM) I'll add the following.
I've enjoyed the drag strip in Maison Bleu in the past, when most people were sensible. I can remember 2 members of my Region dragging it up the strip on push bikes & getting a big cheer (in the giddy days of 1998). Pepper/CS spray - I don't know!
What I do know is that in the past few years the event (LM & the Parade de Pilots) seems to have been taken over by some of the 'not so petrolheads' contingency!
Frankly those that want to get *issed & have a few beers, go for a stag weekend & support engerrrland should stay at hone & enjoy it from the comfort of their sofa!
Things have gone downhill over the past few years! I know I'm a (TVR/petrolhead) snob but I was embarrassed this year when the pratt in the 'monster' (although her looked pretty small to me) tee shirt dropped his skids at the parade.
I know this will seem like a rant but basically most French plod are doing their job; & whilst they can be inconsistent at times we do need to do some 'self policing' as has been said earlier.
Maybe it's just the highland water talking on a Friday evening, but I hope that next year at LM will be better. Engerrrrland fans stay at home!
Real LM fans welcome! I'll be there & do come & introduce yourselves!
Hard hat & box secured!
Gloves
To add my three pennorth (after 8 years at LM) I'll add the following.
I've enjoyed the drag strip in Maison Bleu in the past, when most people were sensible. I can remember 2 members of my Region dragging it up the strip on push bikes & getting a big cheer (in the giddy days of 1998). Pepper/CS spray - I don't know!
What I do know is that in the past few years the event (LM & the Parade de Pilots) seems to have been taken over by some of the 'not so petrolheads' contingency!
Frankly those that want to get *issed & have a few beers, go for a stag weekend & support engerrrland should stay at hone & enjoy it from the comfort of their sofa!
Things have gone downhill over the past few years! I know I'm a (TVR/petrolhead) snob but I was embarrassed this year when the pratt in the 'monster' (although her looked pretty small to me) tee shirt dropped his skids at the parade.
I know this will seem like a rant but basically most French plod are doing their job; & whilst they can be inconsistent at times we do need to do some 'self policing' as has been said earlier.
Maybe it's just the highland water talking on a Friday evening, but I hope that next year at LM will be better. Engerrrrland fans stay at home!
Real LM fans welcome! I'll be there & do come & introduce yourselves!
Hard hat & box secured!
Gloves
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