Don’t panic: behaviour in major incidents

Argues that there are real misunderstandings about survivors’ reactions and their abilities to act rationally and altruistically immediately in the aftermath of a disaster. Illustrates, with case histories from the Thorpe Park fire, a BA jumbo incident, the Paddington rail crash and others. People can and do act rationally, fearlessly and selflessly after major incidents, often reducing loss of life, introducing some sense of order and beginning the real job of rescue and care for the injured.