Water deaths atahigh

Renfrewshire residents have been urged to respect the water after figures showed the number of deaths related to waterways have reached their highest point for five years.

It comes after teenager William McNally perished in the River Gryfe last June.

The 13-year-old, from Linwood, died after getting into trouble in the water where was thought to have been playing with friends.

News of the teenager’s death prompted councillors on the Renfrewshire authority to pledge to boost safety measures around waterways in the area in a bid to prevent future tragedies.

Now figures for last year reveal 58 accidental waterrelated fatalities took place in Scotland.

Data shows 105 deaths involving water occurred in Scotland in total in 2021, while UK figures show accidental drowning deaths increased last year, with more fatalities at inland waterways than around coasts.

There were 277 UK deaths from accidental drowning in the UK in 2021, at inland and coastal sites.

The figure marks a rise of 23 fatalities on the previous year.

Data compiled by the National Water Safety Forum (NSWF), shows 62 per cent of deaths took place at inland open waters including rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, with males making up the majority - 83 per cent - of such deaths.

Water Safety Scotland (WSS) also released its annual trend report, which outlines latest figures in comparison to Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy (SDPS).

Carlene McAvoy, Water Safety Scotland’s Data Subgroup chair, said: “Unfortunately we have seen an increase in water-related fatalities from the average number usually seen in Scotland.

“The recent figures for accidental water-related fatalities show a 16 per cent increase in comparison to the SDPS baseline – bringing accidental waterrelated fatalities to their highest point for the last five years.”

The body’s prevention blueprint monitors changes since the original release of the SDPS in 2018 and maps future objectives in helping reduce the tragic toll.

Minister for Community Safety, Ash Regan, has also released a Water Safety Action Plan, which acts to complement the strategy.

The three-part Water Safety Code, urges residents to:

Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers;

 Stay Together, Stay Close, and

 Phone 999 in an emergency.