Utterly, utterly tragic.
Having been guilty of monumental goofs, suspension of brain function and bad decisions that should have removed me from the gene pool any number of times, I try never to look at such events with any sense of judgement. Looking at the 'placid' picture in the article, it seems an incredible happening. But factor in a traumatic day beforehand, the fog, dark and rain and the situation becomes very real for many of us I suspect.
Such tragic stories always leave me with a heavy heart - but I never fail to take a positive from them. I use that same feeling to better put across messages when I am instructing.
The detail isn't sufficient to say whether it would have made any difference at all in this case, but ( no commercial link ) I would heartily recommend the 'Res-Q-Me' belt cutter/ glass break device - one lives on all our car key rings. Though happy to be guided to a better tool if anyone on here has views/ experience etc.
Thank you for the post.