Drownings In West Yorkshire Amongst Highest In England, Statistics Have Revealed

Monday, 25 April 2016 14:12

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is joining forces with the Chief Fire Officers’ Association to promote water safety after it was revealed the county has one of the highest rates of drownings in England.

Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week 2016 is taking place from 25 April - 1 May and WYFRS hopes people will wise-up to the risks and ‘Be Water Aware’.

Fire Chiefs are concerned that statistics show there have been 33 water-related fatalities in West Yorkshire between 2010 and 2013.

This places West Yorkshire number 9 in the top 10 regions across England for drownings – yet barring London we are the only land-locked county to be listed.

Ian Bitcon, WYFRS Area Manager for Fire Safety, said: “We are concerned by the statistics as there have been a number of fatalities in waterways across West Yorkshire in recent weeks.

“We want the public to be conscious of the risks, especially as the better weather begins.”

“Quite often people who die in water-related incidents had no intention of entering the water. This could be dog walkers, people fishing, joggers and people on their way home from a night out who quite simply slip and fall into the water.”

“Canals in particular have high sides and once in the water it may be extremely difficult to escape. The water will gradually sap your strength and leave you helpless.”

In the last five years (2011-2016) WYFRS crews have rescued 189 people from water across West Yorkshire – in 44 cases people have been injured.

Most people injured have fallen between the 31-60 year age group.

During the same period, there were eight fatalities in incidents attended by WYFRS crews where a casualty had accidentally become stricken in water.

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