I am with Flaredammit this time (!).
Capt Wafty, I think you and your obdurate views are wide of the mark here. People DO offer strangers condolence and comfort after tragedy, which does help during rough times.
If people directly connected to an accident find sympathetic messages in a thread it a good thing - people like you (and others) may be uncomfortable with it, but stiff bikkies - it's not all about you and your offended sensibilities.
I'm not suggesting we all go and take warm showers together, but just try and be empathetic for one second.
QED