So what were the first respondents’ “best efforts” to save two truckies whose heavy vehicles collided head-on the D’Aguilar Highway in the South Burnett the other morning?

That was the immediate reaction of the bitter, sad-sack old hacks – but nevertheless intrigued hacks – who compile this column on hearing those words uttered on Nine News Queensland the other night.

The words came from reporter Ha-Teya Gripske (above) who said this: “Despite the best efforts of emergency crews, the two drivers could not be saved”.

And why were these hacks also wondering why the reporter hasn’t more fully explained those efforts to save those men. That, surely, was THE story.

Well, if you haven’t guessed already, they were being largely sarcastic as is their want.

And why? Because while none of our media column compilers have ever been the victim of a fatal road accident, they immediately assessed the damage to both cabins in what clearly would have been a high-speed impact. And that both vehicles were burnt out. Indeed, they also factored in Gripske’s voiceover that both vehicles burst into flames on impact, both cabins were incinerated and the fire brigade took two hours to put out the flames. And they took a calculated guess and decided that first responders would not have gotten to a fairly remote spot any time soon.

So when firies and ambos finally turned up, what were the chances that their best efforts could save either or both drivers?

The compilers of both of The Bug’s media review columns have long argued that industry tyros turn into really good journos by developing their senses of logic and commonsense – that a warning bell automatically rings in their noggins if they pen stuff that’s silly. In stories they write for the printed mediocre, or notes, real or mental, they scribble to guide their electronic media reports.

Some journos hear that warning bell early in their careers; others take time. Some are incapable, even if they hold a journalism degree.

We’re been watching Gripske’s career. She’s really quite good and will get even better when that warning bell starts ringing. We think it’s not far away.

Disclaimer: The Bug always tries to be fair so maybe in a once-in-a-million shot, both men were thrown clear and quite some time later, first responders gave their best efforts to save both badly injured men. Nah! THAT would have been the lead, surely? And maybe the paramedics were pumping up their own tyres in telling Gripske of their valiant life-saving efforts? Nah! Even if they did: DING! DING! DING!

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