DO NOT ENTER OPEN WATER

Yesterday a brother and sister of eleven and six years old nearly drowned at the weir near the Five Tunnels.

Thank goodness for the brave & swift action of the passers-by, who rescued both children from the water, had it not been for them I dread to think what would have happened.

The message has to be loud and clear to children and adults alike, do not enter open water. Let's learn from this near miss here in Redditch and from the other tragedies that have taken place around the country.  Despite the warm weather, trying to cool off or have fun in lakes, rivers & ponds means you are literally risking your life and endangering others around you.  This incident must serve as a warning to us all.

I know the spot well from childhood and having visited yesterday I could see evidence that the river bank is well used.  Alarmingly, remnants of ropes hang from the trees which suggest children have used rope swings to enter the water.  I've contacted the head of Community Services for an urgent site visit to see how we can make the area more safe.

The local council cannot hope to make open water a completely safe place, however where a serious near miss has occurred involving two children, action is required.  Whether it is a sign warning of the danger which may at least deter some, to cutting back the trees to eliminate the possibility of rope swings directly over the water, I would like to see the best course of action investigated and meaningful, prompt action.

Given that drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death for children, we must raise awareness that open water is a dangerous place.  Even for strong swimmers, the cold, hidden currents and reeds are just some of the reasons that people are drowning.

In addition I take children being able to swim very seriously.  Redditch Borough Council delivers free swimming to under sixteens & over 65's and I hope children and young people especially will come to Kingsley and the Abbey Stadium to swim safely and for free this summer.

 

The weir near the Five Tunnels

 

Read about the passers-by who saved the children