A Rare BBC Blooper

Even when errors occur, the beeb's people do not become flustered...

If you way should falter
along this stony pass
It's Just a moment
This time will pass

                  --U2, from "Stuck in a Moment"

This catch was a lucky one, and what the BBC announcer said was unbelievable. The date was January 6, 2009, and I was testing some software and recording the BBC World Service audio stream. The announcer was reporting on the suicide death of billionaire Adolf Merckle, who was distressed over financial losses. In actuality, he threw himself before a moving train. It was reported, however, that Merckle was first killed by a train, then committed suicide. It is actually a tragic news story, and the BBC announcer really goofed, but she maintained composure and pressed on with a sports story afterward.

That's how skilled the BBC announcers are. It wouldn't have made a difference how outrageous the error - they leave it behind and keep on moving to the next item. Stay on cadence and continue the program. Perhaps a lesson on the transitory nature of trouble would have been useful for Adolf Merckle.