7-Jul-2006
- Bridge jumpers on the River Thames are risking
serious injury or even death - this is the stark
warning from the Environment Agency and Thames
Valley Police which have joined forces this summer
to crack down on bridge jumpers.
Falling on metal spikes, broken
glass, shopping trolleys and other discarded items
hidden underwater are just some of the dangers
bridge jumpers face. Being struck by a boat, caught
in a propeller or swept along in a strong current
are other possible risks.
The warning follows several
reports of young people jumping into the River
Thames from bridges in Oxfordshire including Halfpenny
Bridge in Lechlade, Desborough Bridge at Iffley
Lock, Abingdon Bridge and Wallingford Bridge.
River Thames Patrol Officer,
Adrian Swift, has been out on the river warning
children jumping from bridges. He said: "Bridge
jumping is a real concern to us - it's extremely
dangerous and can result in serious injury or
even death. A few years ago a young man was killed
after jumping into the Thames from Shillingford
Bridge, and recently we had a near miss when a
boat only just avoided colliding with a young
boy who jumped into the river off Halfpenny Bridge.
"What people do not realise
is that the water's depth and speed of current
are difficult to gauge, there may be sharp objects
hidden in the water and being struck by a boat
is a real danger as boats cannot stop dead or
manoeuvre quickly.
"We want people to enjoy
being on or near the water this summer but we
want people to be safe. The best way to enjoy
being on the river is to join a supervised canoe,
sailing or boat club. There are hundreds based
along the River Thames, all providing a safe way
to have fun on the water."
Inspector John Ramsbottom said:
"We are not out to spoil anybody's fun but
we do not want to see somebody injured or even
killed.
"We are in a time of drought.
Water levels are lower than normal and people
cannot see what may be just below the water's
surface. There may be obstacles and the river
may not be a deep as it appears.
"People cannot also
be sure of the depth of the river. It can vary
quite a lot over a very short distance."
While the water may look seemingly
cool and enticing on a hot afternoon, people often
fail to consider the following:
Boats and other moving craft
find it very hard to spot swimmers and cannot
stop dead or move quickly out of a swimmer's path.
Propellers are also very dangerous.
There may be unseen underwater obstructions such
as submerged landing platforms, shopping trolleys,
bicycles, broken glass and other potentially dangerous
items thrown in by thoughtless members of the
public.
The depth of the water is often uncertain, which
can be dangerous for anyone diving in.
The water is often surprisingly cold only a few
inches beneath the surface which can limit ability
to swim any distance.
The speed of flow can be well beyond the abilities
of even the strongest of swimmers, particularly
after rain.
For those who choose to swim in the River Thames
the Environment Agency advises the following:
Do not swim around moored boats,
fallen logs or blind corners.
Do not swim in locks, lock cuts or narrow channels.
Do not swim where there is a strong current and
keep away from weirs and weir pools.
Do not attempt to swim across the river, it is
wider and colder than you think.
Watch children swimming or paddling carefully
as river depth varies suddenly and wash from boats
can cause them to fall over. There may be broken
glass or other sharp material on the riverbed
so it is advisable to wear bathing shoes.
Airbeds or inflated rubber tubes can easily float
or be blown into deep water where sudden loss
of buoyancy could be disastrous.
For more information on the dangers of bridge
jumping please see www.visitthames.co.uk/watersafety.
For a list of boat clubs and
information on how to enjoy the River Thames safely
this summer please see www.visitthames.co.uk.
Background
There is no body or organisation with overall
responsibility for safety on rivers or watercourses.
However, the Environment Agency occasionally issues
safety advice as part of its role to encourage
the safe and enjoyable use of our rivers.
Madeline Leahu
