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Policing changed forever after disaster

Fri, 02 Aug 2013

Policing in the Isle of Man changed significantly following the Summerland disaster which happened 40 years ago today.

A former policeman who was on duty on August 2, 1973, says the force wasn't equipped to deal with the tragedy.

The Island had never seen a similar incident in scale and the last murder had been 44 years previously.

As a result forensic officers and equipment had to be brought over from the UK to help deal with the aftermath of the fire in which 50 people lost their lives.

Scene of crime officer on the day Dudley Butt says things back then were very different:

(Play audio below):

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Media

• Dudley Butt