ROYAL FAMILY
The potentially deadly sequence in the Kate Middleton video
One section of the Princess of Wales’ video shows her son climbing on stacked timber which was noted to be more dangerous than you think.
The video of Kate Middleton announcing the end of her chemotherapy treatment was welcome news for anyone who knows people struggling with the illness. She spoke of the changes to her life, what it means for her future, and how she will continue battling the disease.
One of the less well-received segment of the video is her son George climbing some some stacked timber logs. Clearly fun, but much more dangerous than you might think, as X user Matt Cross noted below.
A wrong foot or a loose log can lead to severe injuries and even deaths, as highlighted by a tragic story in Scotland in 2017, when 12-year-old Kayla MacDonald died after logs fell on her in Argyll forest.
Why climbing on stacked logs is so dangerous
Timber stacks, while appearing solid, can be deceptively unstable. The arrangement of logs or boards may shift unexpectedly, especially if not properly stacked or secured. When someone climbs on a stack, their weight and movements can disturb this delicate balance, potentially causing the entire pile to collapse.
Should a stack collapse while someone is climbing on it, the consequences can be catastrophic. The weight of falling timber can easily crush a person, causing severe injuries or death. Even a single log or board can weigh hundreds of pounds, making escape difficult once a collapse begins.
Workplace accident statistics highlight the dangers of falling objects and falls from height in the timber industry.
Nearly 20% of fatal injuries and 13% of major injuries in woodworking are caused by being struck by falling objects, including timber from stacks. Approximately 50% of all stacking accidents investigated by health and safety authorities result in major injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and amputations.