http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnli ne&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED 18%20Aug%202008%2012%3A45%3A57%3A097
What a shocking tragedy. How can the parents cope with such a loss?
I note that an inshore lifeboat was called. Considering it is a water-sports/activity centre then I would have expected its own rescue boat to have been on hand. It does have one, doesn't it?
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Thread - Tragedy at Whitlingham Gravel Pits.
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peter waller
18th Aug '08 23:25 
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marcollosson
19th Aug '08 01:01 |
Rescue craft? Peter if the BA feel there is no need for a rescue craft with high speed water activity then I'd say they wouldn't have even contemplated the need for one in this area.
This was a real tragedy. |
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peter waller
19th Aug '08 19:22
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Marc, as I understand it, Doggingham Gravel Pits operate as a sport and leisure facility for public use. If it were a sailing club then I suspect rescue facilities would be expected. Canoing and swimming, amongst other activities, are offered to absolute beginners. Surely this needs to be supervised? Public swimming pools have lifeguards, does Doggingham?
I understand that the BA are involved with the management of the gravel pits. If that is so then what qualification do they have to offer public swimming sessions at Doggingham? I wonder who conducted the risk assessment? |
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peter waller
19th Aug '08 22:00
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Found this via Google:
Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre Due to safety precautions it is only possible to use the broad under the supervision of Whitlingham OEC staff who will be on hand to help out in emergencies ... www.nccoutdooreducation.co.uk/payandplay.php - 15k Yet they had to call in a coastal lifeboat! It will be interesting to read the subsequent reports of this tragedy. |
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Poppy
20th Aug '08 07:43 |
One would think that some form of safety dory would be provided in such circumstances.
Their blessed Act is supposed to improve our safety on the Broads - how would it, or the damnable Boat 'safety' Scheme have helped in this tragic situation? |
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Mardler
20th Aug '08 22:48 |
I understand that the victim was entangled in weed growth and unable to free himself. In which case, what on earth was Whitlingham management doing allowing swimming on the lake in the first place?
My sympathy lies with the bereaved but I cannot help thinking that this was a needless tragedy. |
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peter waller
21st Aug '08 22:56
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That being the case, Mardler, then some very serious questions need to be asked. Not least the qualification of those at the top.
The BA frequently advises against swimming in the Broads. Okay, so Whittlingham is a redundant gravel pit but unless weed growth is controlled then surely the same advice applies? It worries me deeply that an on site rescue boat facility does not appear to be available. Or is there? In any event it would seem that the following BA announcement is extremely unfortunate: http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/visiting/what-s-on/events /event-details.html?id=2703 |
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peter waller
21st Aug '08 23:37
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Old Frank
22nd Aug '08 08:11 |
I'm sorry about the tragedy and I have no idea how the parents will cope. If a man-made beach was put in then it's reasonable to expect people to swim off the beach ... and regrettably holidaymakers also drown off Yarmouth's golden mile.
The one upside of this posting is to see Whitlingham Gravel Pits correctly named. Marketing has not been confused by the facts. They're not Broads and not a single sod of peat has ever been dug from them. They are gravel pits! OF |
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peter waller
22nd Aug '08 08:47
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Golden Mile versus Whittlingham, a question of scale for one thing and the public perception that, like a swimming pool, Whittlingham would be safe. After all, it is man made, safety issues are controllable in such an environment.
Are there notices at Whittlingam warning of weed or the dangers of swimming in amongst weed? Indeed if there were no such notices then I suggest that that is a serious omission. We have other, far less important notices in profusion across Broadland, indeed it appears to have become a major growth industry. There is no reasonable excuse for not warning swimmers of the dangers, especially as it appears to be a designated swimming area. |
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Brian
14th Sep '08 19:12 
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My Heart Goes out to Families.
Something like this should not have happened. I have been there when its hot and there are many families having a great time in the sandy areas. Why oh why isn't there a life guard on Duty ? As its a very popular destination for families in the summer. |
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Old Frank
16th Sep '08 09:47 |
Might there be a point somewhere about continuous and mindless expansion of the empire when all the basic jobs aren't being carried out satisfactorily?
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Chapeau Noir
28th Sep '08 08:57 |
No-one has really asked what the Broads Authority thinks it's doing managing a newly created recreation area. Taking on additional responsibilities of this nature hardly seems central to their brief and looks set to become a major diversion from ineffectively carried out statutory duties.
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Broadside
28th Sep '08 21:29 |
Kudos? or perhaps arrogance
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Tree Hugger
29th Sep '08 10:11 
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Come on.
Aren't we being a tad naive here? Whitlingham, as previously agreed, is not a broad but a park. What does the BA aspire to be? A Park-keeper of course. And of course, a National Park Keeper would be best. |
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