Ronalds Abele's parents say new river safety measures are lacking
Ronalds was part of a group of seven young people who swam along the embankment on during warm weather on 10 May 2024.Despite being a strong swimmer the teenager started to struggle to stay afloat while racing with a friend in the River Nene.
His parents called for improvements at a water safety day held in Ronalds' memory at the embankment last summer.They revisited the area on Friday for the annual event, which coincides with World Drowning Prevention Day.At the latest event Ms Kirsteine said two sets of safety equipment had been added to the lower lock - where Ronalds had been swimming - one to the embankment and two to the upper lock. She said: "There are definitely things that need to be done - there is only one ring on the whole stretch of the embankment, and there is a splash park just there where families are on sunny days."This is not enough because the stretch is too great if anyone falls into the water. "We would love to see more safety equipment, maybe throwlines and a defibrillator and a bleed kit."Mr Okyere added: "There is only one ring here, between the upper lock and the lower lock, so we believe there should be a couple more."
Wilcox said a safety partnership between the council and emergency services was "getting somewhere"."I will take it on and make sure its carried forward because we want this to be a safe place," he added.When asked if more signage and more equipment could be installed, he said "yes, definitely"."I promised Thomas that I will look into and put my shoulder to the wheel to make sure things are improved," he said.
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