Latest news with #WaterIncidentDatabase
Western Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Western Telegraph
Coastguard issues beach safety warning as summer starts
With more people expected to visit the coast during the warm weather, HM Coastguard's Coast Clever campaign highlights the dangers of cliff falls, tidal cut-offs, offshore winds, and mud. It comes as the UK enjoys unusually dry and hot conditions, raising concerns about increased coastal incidents. Pat O'Callaghan, chief coastguard, said: "Each year, HM Coastguard responds to reports of people in danger at the coast, but many of these situations can be avoided. "We'd like the public to enjoy the warmer weather and our wonderful coastline, but they need to be aware of the risks. "Mud, tides, cliffs, and offshore winds can very quickly put lives in danger. "If you need help during a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for coastguard." According to the Water Incident Database, the majority of coastal drownings over the last three years occurred in July, with men aged 20 to 29 most at risk. Last year, HM Coastguard responded to more than 600 incidents involving people cut off by the tide. The campaign encourages visitors to check tide times and weather conditions before heading out, stay clear of cliff edges, and carry a fully charged mobile phone.
South Wales Argus
14-07-2025
- Climate
- South Wales Argus
Coastguard issues beach safety warning as summer starts
With more people expected to visit the coast during the warm weather, HM Coastguard's Coast Clever campaign highlights the dangers of cliff falls, tidal cut-offs, offshore winds, and mud. It comes as the UK enjoys unusually dry and hot conditions, raising concerns about increased coastal incidents. Pat O'Callaghan, chief coastguard, said: "Each year, HM Coastguard responds to reports of people in danger at the coast, but many of these situations can be avoided. "We'd like the public to enjoy the warmer weather and our wonderful coastline, but they need to be aware of the risks. "Mud, tides, cliffs, and offshore winds can very quickly put lives in danger. "If you need help during a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for coastguard." According to the Water Incident Database, the majority of coastal drownings over the last three years occurred in July, with men aged 20 to 29 most at risk. Last year, HM Coastguard responded to more than 600 incidents involving people cut off by the tide. The campaign encourages visitors to check tide times and weather conditions before heading out, stay clear of cliff edges, and carry a fully charged mobile phone.
South Wales Guardian
14-07-2025
- Climate
- South Wales Guardian
Coastguard issues beach safety warning as summer starts
With more people expected to visit the coast during the warm weather, HM Coastguard's Coast Clever campaign highlights the dangers of cliff falls, tidal cut-offs, offshore winds, and mud. It comes as the UK enjoys unusually dry and hot conditions, raising concerns about increased coastal incidents. Pat O'Callaghan, chief coastguard, said: "Each year, HM Coastguard responds to reports of people in danger at the coast, but many of these situations can be avoided. "We'd like the public to enjoy the warmer weather and our wonderful coastline, but they need to be aware of the risks. "Mud, tides, cliffs, and offshore winds can very quickly put lives in danger. "If you need help during a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for coastguard." According to the Water Incident Database, the majority of coastal drownings over the last three years occurred in July, with men aged 20 to 29 most at risk. Last year, HM Coastguard responded to more than 600 incidents involving people cut off by the tide. The campaign encourages visitors to check tide times and weather conditions before heading out, stay clear of cliff edges, and carry a fully charged mobile phone.
ITV News
01-05-2025
- ITV News
Fire chiefs call for urgent action on drownings
Fire chiefs are calling for urgent national action to prevent drownings after a 16-year-old boy died while swimming in a lake during a spell of hot weather. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has urged the Government to give fire services in England a legal duty to respond to water emergencies, such as rescues in rivers, lakes and canals. The call comes during the NFCC's Be Water Aware campaign and as emergency services report a rise in water-related incidents. The teenager died after getting into difficulty at Colwick Country Park in Nottingham on Wednesday evening. His body was recovered hours later. Chief Inspector David Mather of Nottinghamshire Police said: 'While work is now under way to understand how the boy came into difficulty, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight this case as a reminder of the devastating consequences of entering open water – regardless of whether people do so deliberately or inadvertently.' Tom Staples, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the incident was a 'stark reminder' of the hidden dangers in open water. NFCC water safety lead Chris Kirby said: '1,400 people have died in accidental drowning incidents across just five years. 'We need urgent action to prevent anybody else coming to harm and that requires steps being taken at a national level.' The NFCC says the lack of a legal duty in England means fire services face limits on how much they can invest in water rescue training, equipment and education. It also leads to inconsistencies across the UK, with Wales having a statutory duty for inland water rescue, and Scotland and Northern Ireland holding duties in relation to major flooding. Kirby said clearer responsibilities for fire and rescue services, backed by law and funding, would help improve emergency response and public safety campaigns. Figures from the Water Incident Database show 1,409 people died in accidental drownings between 2019 and 2023, with more than half in inland waters. The NFCC also wants the Government to appoint a lead department or minister for water safety to better coordinate prevention work. Temperatures reached 29.3C at Kew Gardens in London on Thursday – the hottest May 1 on record – with fire services warning of a surge in water incidents. The London Fire Brigade said such incidents were up 32% last month. Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: 'Even when the sun is shining, water temperatures can be dangerously cold.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fire chiefs call for urgent action on drownings
Fire chiefs are calling for urgent national action to prevent drownings after a 16-year-old boy died while swimming in a lake during a spell of hot weather. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has urged the Government to give fire services in England a legal duty to respond to water emergencies, such as rescues in rivers, lakes and canals. The call comes during the NFCC's Be Water Aware campaign and as emergency services report a rise in water-related incidents. The teenager died after getting into difficulty at Colwick Country Park in Nottingham on Wednesday evening. His body was recovered hours later. Chief Inspector David Mather of Nottinghamshire Police said: 'While work is now under way to understand how the boy came into difficulty, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight this case as a reminder of the devastating consequences of entering open water – regardless of whether people do so deliberately or inadvertently.' Tom Staples, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the incident was a 'stark reminder' of the hidden dangers in open water. NFCC water safety lead Chris Kirby said: '1,400 people have died in accidental drowning incidents across just five years. 'We need urgent action to prevent anybody else coming to harm and that requires steps being taken at a national level.' The NFCC says the lack of a legal duty in England means fire services face limits on how much they can invest in water rescue training, equipment and education. It also leads to inconsistencies across the UK, with Wales having a statutory duty for inland water rescue, and Scotland and Northern Ireland holding duties in relation to major flooding. Kirby said clearer responsibilities for fire and rescue services, backed by law and funding, would help improve emergency response and public safety campaigns. Figures from the Water Incident Database show 1,409 people died in accidental drownings between 2019 and 2023, with more than half in inland waters. The NFCC also wants the Government to appoint a lead department or minister for water safety to better coordinate prevention work. Temperatures reached 29.3C at Kew Gardens in London on Thursday – the hottest May 1 on record – with fire services warning of a surge in water incidents. The London Fire Brigade said such incidents were up 32% last month. Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: 'Even when the sun is shining, water temperatures can be dangerously cold.' The RNLI urged swimmers to float on their backs if in trouble and to only swim at lifeguarded beaches.
