BBC News Disgraceful RED5 Flt Lt Cunningham

[davedubya]

You're not annoyed that Sky News didn't have it up on their site at all?

[POL]

BBC News website "Top News" box is fed by impressions, i.e. the number of clicks per hour from website users.

So, before everyone goes off on one, remember we are a small group of people, we do not represent the views of the masses in the world.

[RichC]

Perhaps those who know the Policeman or have anything to do with that case want to know about it. You forget the news is for everyone, not just an aviation enthusiast.
What about all the soldiers who get killed, they are news for one day and their story gets taken over within an hour by another top item. What about all the other aviators lost in accidents, do they get constant coverage? No, they get replaced by other news items too.

Red 4 and Red 5 are two people in a huge number that have lost their lives flying fixed wing, helicopters, on ships, in vehicles and on foot and the world does not, unfortunately revolve around them every minute of the day.

Those news stories that overtake the ones you are only interested in, are actually of interest to other people who don't actually care what happens in the military either. And news channels/websites and papers are not obliged to run any story if they don't want to. Is that disrespectful? Not at all. It's their media channel, they can do what they want.
Something you have to get used to, perhaps?

[BOLLO]

Nothing gets news like a "bent copper" story.

[RichC]

If you look now, his funeral is no longer top spot in the England section as there is a soldier who has been killed after being shot in the neck during an exercise in Kenya. It changes every half hour.
Sad for that soldiers family too of which he spent his career helping others as an army medic.

[blakey]

Do you people really get that worked up, i mean come on, he was on every local and national news the week of his death and in all the papers, its not like he's had no coverage at all

In fact i think the press should stay away from his funeral, today is his families and close friends day, we (the enthusiasts) have had our time to do what we do best

The most shocking thing i heard on the radio regarding his funeral is the celebs tagging on.....Carol Vorderman attending???? just because she likes the Red Arrows ffs!!!!!!!! We all do but we dont all gate crash the funeral

Very close friends and family ONLY, no press no celebs no fans thats all should of been there today

[RichC]

Totally agree with the above post.
I never knew the chap, i've seen him fly, much like i have seen other aviators fly that have been tragically killed. I didn't pay my respects though, or post in the condolences thread as i never knew him personally, or met him. So why should the news carry on the news story?

[Richard B]

Bit on Central news,
Me and my Wife went to the Catherdal today and we where both Moved by it.

[Hurn]

In fact i think the press should stay away from his funeral, today is his families and close friends day, we (the enthusiasts) have had our time to do what we do best

The most shocking thing i heard on the radio regarding his funeral is the celebs tagging on.....Carol Vorderman attending???? just because she likes the Red Arrows ffs!!!!!!!! We all do but we dont all gate crash the funeral

Very close friends and family ONLY, no press no celebs no fans thats all should of been there today.

There wasn't any gate crashing going on by Vorderman or anyone else in fact as the funeral was open to the public as stated on the Red Arrows website. Anyone could attend if they wanted and there was a private family only cremation afterwards.

As to the OP's rant. Seriously? Come on.

[T_J]

Carol Vorderman attending????

Carol Vorderman worked with the Red Arrows to support the RAF Wings Appeal. Carol obviously regards the Red Arrows as her friends and attended both Flt Lt Egging and Flt Lt Cunningham's funerals.

TV presenter Carol ­Vorderman, a friend of Jon’s, tweeted last night: “Today we’ve lost a brave and brilliant Red Arrow pilot, Flt Lt Jon Egging, Red 4, a lovely man who was always smiling..RIP ‘Eggman’ x”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... -23359662/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Carol said: “I’m very privileged to know all of the Arrows and they are very dear friends.

"Sean was a wonderful young man and all of my family would like to send our deepest condolences to Sean’s family and also the team who are reeling.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... -23553028/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.lincolnshiretoday.net/en/lt/ ... e-rest.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[blakey]

Blimey i didnt expect to see a link in your post Tom

Ok i'll let Vorderman off but i still reckon its freaky and morbid of non family members and very close friends to turn up and i still think its over the top for folk to rant about it not making headlines or the news all day

[XPLUMBER]

Blimey i didnt expect to see a link in your post Tom

Ok i'll let Vorderman off but i still reckon its freaky and morbid of non family members and very close friends to turn up and i still think its over the top for folk to rant about it not making headlines or the news all day

That's NICE of you, going off half cocked without knowing what you're talking about, perhaps you should have said something along the lines of

"I'm very sorry for slandering Miss Vorderman, I didn't know the full story!"


As has been said, there was an open invitation to people to attend, many people are respectful of the Reds and what they do, let them attend if they can.

[blakey]

there was an open invitation to people to attend, many people are respectful of the Reds

Well i showed my respect for his family and very close friends by not attending a strangers funeral

[XPLUMBER]

Fair enough, but a lot of people feel an afinity with the Reds!

[blakey]

Fair enough, but a lot of people feel an afinity with the Reds!

I understand that and it showed with the overwhelming out pouring on the ill fated day and the week following, i was gutted i couldnt make the journey from the WAVE to sign the book in person

I dunno maybe ive got this totally wrong and his family were ok and welcomed strangers today but surely theres got to be a line even us enthusiasts shouldnt cross and yes when i heard Z list celebs attending i was cursing in me cab today, but likes been pointed out, these celebs knew him personally (that wasnt mentioned on BBC Lincs) and I flew in and jumped the gun

Sorry for that bit of my rant, but as for folk coming on here moaning its not in the press enough well i aint apologising for that bit, lets have it right, we'd only moan they covered the story wrong anyway

[XPLUMBER]

I quite agree with you regarding the pointless rant over minimal press coverage!

His family seem very greatful to everyone who contacted them to offer their condolences and I think they would have been very happy to see the Cathedral was full!

[TH1213]

I'm a 15 year old living in London so obviously i couldn't attend, however i would if i could because i would have liked to pay my respects to someone i admired. I don't think anyone should be having a go at anyone who turns up to a funeral, celebrity or not. I also feel if people would like to turn up to a funeral with an open invitation then who are we to have a go at them? His parents were greatful of everyone who turned up so why have a go?

[john]

I'm a 15 year old living in London so obviously i couldn't attend, however i would if i could because i would have liked to pay my respects to someone i admired. I don't think anyone should be having a go at anyone who turns up to a funeral, celebrity or not. I also feel if people would like to turn up to a funeral with an open invitation then who are we to have a go at them? His parents were greatful of everyone who turned up so why have a go?

Hi
well said young man

john

[XPLUMBER]

I'm a 15 year old living in London so obviously i couldn't attend, however i would if i could because i would have liked to pay my respects to someone i admired. I don't think anyone should be having a go at anyone who turns up to a funeral, celebrity or not. I also feel if people would like to turn up to a funeral with an open invitation then who are we to have a go at them? His parents were greatful of everyone who turned up so why have a go?

Young man you have a very grown up way of putting things, well done!

[TH1213]

Thank you, i just feel that this is a time we should remember a special person to us, as the aviation community and to the general public as he was an ambassador for our country. We shouldn't sit here having a go at people who wish to pay their respects to a man they may or may not have know, but join them in remembering him and his tragicaly short but remarkable life. I also feel that just because his funeral isn't on every news website doesn't mean its ruined the day, im sure his parents would be glad that its not spread out all over the front pages, but would it be a private time for Sean's family and friends and anyone else who wishes to remember him. My rant is now over

Thomas