BBC North West Tonight presenter Roger Johnson reflects upon this week's tragic events in Southport.
Back in the day the prevailing view was that, to be a good journalist, you always needed to remain detached from what you were reporting on.So much information comes into our Salford newsroom every day from many different sources: the emergency services, press officers, social media... the list goes on.
One police officer told me colleagues can never unsee the things they saw; they will never forget the sounds they heard.And how is it possible to imagine the anguish of the families bereaved on Southport’s darkest day? You just can't.A police officer took it and placed it gently against a garden wall. As the hours went by thousands more followed. It was the start of an outpouring of love and support which has gathered pace ever since.
A lovely chap called Malcolm, who spotted me standing uncomfortably in the street, offered me the use of his bathroom. Serena Kennedy’s briefing began very quickly - we had warned our viewers that we would likely suddenly cross to the media briefing. She went on to outline the other terrible injuries suffered by other children and adults who had rushed to save them.
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