Latest news with #Bude
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swimming society improve safety after student death
A university student union says it has improved safety measures after a "heroic" student drowned while rescuing three women from the sea. Jack Lees was just days away from turning 21 when he embarked on a four-day trip with the University of Bristol Students' Union Wild Swimming Society on 4 June 2024. The aspiring brain surgeon died after being swept away by the strong currents off Northcott Mouth beach in Bude, Cornwall. His body was recovered two weeks later. The student union say the coastal event has since been banned, and club members must complete a mandatory risk assessment and water safety training. Wild swimming, also known as cold-water swimming, involves natural bodies of water like rivers, lakes and the sea. Despite its inherent risks - including cold-water shock, rips and currents, submerged obstacles, unknown depths and unpredictable weather conditions- there is no evidence a risk assessment was carried out at the beach on the day of Mr Lees' death. An inquest into his death revealed Mr Lees, from Crediton in Devon, swam out 150m (500ft) with a male friend to save their three fellow students, who were spotted struggling to stay afloat in the outgoing tide. Two of the women eventually managed to reach the shore with the help of Mr Lees and his friend, but after bravely returning to help the third, the 20-year-old never resurfaced from the rough tide. Assistant Cornwall coroner Emma Hillson ruled his death as misadventure. Ben Pilling, CEO of the student union, said new health and safety measures have since been implemented to help prevent another senseless loss. "Following the tragic accident last year, we've worked with relevant student groups to further enhance their approach to water safety," he told the BBC. "All our student groups are required to submit a risk assessment for their activities, which is reviewed by the SU. "In partnership with the university, we are running a water safety campaign which has been produced with support from the RNLI. "We are also working on a project with the National Union of Students that will aim to develop and share best practice across the sector. "We continue to take all matters of student safety extremely seriously, and work with our student groups to ensure that this is a priority for them." In the wake of her son's death, Dr Dawn Lees has pioneered the development of a Safe Society Chartermark, providing a safety framework for student societies that partake in outdoor activities. She said the news he had selflessly jumped in to save others came as no surprise, describing him as "a gentleman in his life and in his death". Dr Lees also thanked the RNLI for their tireless efforts to locate her son and bring him home. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Student died trying to save lives, inquest hears Cold water dips and swims: the benefits and risks How to stay safe in the water this summer University of Bristol
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Jack Lees: Bristol wild swimming society improve safety measures
A university student union says it has improved safety measures after a "heroic" student drowned while rescuing three women from the Lees was just days away from turning 21 when he embarked on a four-day trip with the University of Bristol Students' Union Wild Swimming Society on 4 June 2024. The aspiring brain surgeon died after being swept away by the strong currents off Northcott Mouth beach in Bude, Cornwall. His body was recovered two weeks student union say the coastal event has since been banned, and club members must complete a mandatory risk assessment and water safety training. Wild swimming, also known as cold-water swimming, involves natural bodies of water like rivers, lakes and the its inherent risks - including cold-water shock, rips and currents, submerged obstacles, unknown depths and unpredictable weather conditions- there is no evidence a risk assessment was carried out at the beach on the day of Mr Lees' death. An inquest into his death revealed Mr Lees, from Crediton in Devon, swam out 150m (500ft) with a male friend to save their three fellow students, who were spotted struggling to stay afloat in the outgoing of the women eventually managed to reach the shore with the help of Mr Lees and his friend, but after bravely returning to help the third, the 20-year-old never resurfaced from the rough Cornwall coroner Emma Hillson ruled his death as misadventure. Ben Pilling, CEO of the student union, said new health and safety measures have since been implemented to help prevent another senseless loss. "Following the tragic accident last year, we've worked with relevant student groups to further enhance their approach to water safety," he told the BBC."All our student groups are required to submit a risk assessment for their activities, which is reviewed by the SU."In partnership with the university, we are running a water safety campaign which has been produced with support from the RNLI."We are also working on a project with the National Union of Students that will aim to develop and share best practice across the sector."We continue to take all matters of student safety extremely seriously, and work with our student groups to ensure that this is a priority for them." In the wake of her son's death, Dr Dawn Lees has pioneered the development of a Safe Society Chartermark, providing a safety framework for student societies that partake in outdoor said the news he had selflessly jumped in to save others came as no surprise, describing him as "a gentleman in his life and in his death".Dr Lees also thanked the RNLI for their tireless efforts to locate her son and bring him home.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Police action on Bude properties at centre of crime issues
Closure orders have been secured for two Cornish properties at the centre of alleged drug crimes and anti-social and Cornwall Police said the orders for the buildings on Berries Avenue in Bude had been granted after officers received reports of suspected drug dealing, drug-related violence and anti-social force said reports included people visiting the properties at all hours of the day including some who had taken drugs, which led to further orders make it an offence for anyone to enter either address for three months. PC Nina Sargent said the issues involving the two properties had a "significant detrimental impact" on the local added: "Everyone deserves to live in peace and without fear of crime. "This type of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and we will continue to take action against those responsible."A police spokesperson said the tenants of the properties had been signposted to necessary support services and officers would work with them while the orders are active to ensure future crime prevention.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bude sea pool reopens after £40,000 worth of repairs
A sea pool has reopened after a brief closure so that £40,000 worth of repairs and renovations could be carried Harper, from the Friends of Bude Sea Pool charity in Cornwall, said the funds went on materials such as high-grade marine stainless steel to withstand the additions to the pool include anti-slip coatings on the steps and replacement handrails for ones that had been washed away by a said volunteers and contractors completed a "whole host of things" during the pool's annual maintenance this month and it was looking "really good". "Our team of volunteers have jet washed every single surface you can see which is why it is looking so clean and tidy," said Ms Harper."They have repainted all of our beach huts and our contractors have been in doing lots of jobs such as repairing areas of concrete that had cracks."She said the charity was funded by local business sponsors, donations from the public and pool, which was built in 1930, reopened on Saturday.
