BEACH SAFETY CONCERNS AFTER TRAGEDY
A coroner is to write to council bosses about safety on a Sunderland beach after a teenager’s death.
Seventeen-yearold Liam Hall, from Southwick, died in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital after he and three friends got into trouble off Roker Beach in August last year.
Now, Newcastle coroner Karen Dilks is to write to Sunderland City Council bosses over arrangements at Roker Beach.
Speaking afterwards, Sunderland City Council leader, Coun Paul Watson said there had been lifeguard cover on the beach at the time of the incident. “As a city by the sea, water safety is a priority for us which is why we have lifeguards and extensive water safety signage at three beaches including Roker, operating seven days a week from May to September, with patrols of up to nine lifeguards on duty from 10am–6pm each day. “Some of those lifeguards were involved in the efforts to rescue Liam on the day.
“The council has worked very closely with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and the Royal Lifesaving Society and ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) for a number of years now to raise awareness of the dangers of swimming in open water.
“This includes water safety lessons to more than 150,000 children in schools since 1994 and practical water safety sessions, delivered by the RNLI.
“We also have a boat patrolling the River Wear from the river mouth to Fatfield from Easter to September every weekend, school holidays and public holidays, from 11am to 7pm, giving safety advice and guidance to water users.
“As well as extensive signage and water safety messages there is also public rescue equipment which is checked regularly.
“But, we will of course look closely at the Coroner’s letter to see if there are any additional measures that need to be taken.
“The seaside is a wonderful place to enjoy and we never want to stop people from doing that, but Liam’s tragic death is a very sad reminder of the need for all of us to take extra care near stretches of open water.”