Riverside as risking lives
the River Wear and we want people to be safe.”
Cameron Gosling, from Crook, died of cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear near Bishop Auckland when he was there with friends.
Tragedy struck in Washington, when Ross Irwin was killed when he fell into the river after a night out with friends in 2016.
On the same stretch of river in 2013, schoolgirls Chloe Fowler, 14, and Tonibeth Purvis, 15, drowned after getting into trouble in the water.
Inspector Dave Coxon, of Chester-leStreet Police, said the youngsters gathering under the bridge don’t see the dangers of what they’re doing and seem to believe they are indestructible.
He added: “We don’t want to spoil their fun, but neither do I want to be knocking on someone’s door to tell their parents that their son or daughter isn’t coming home.
“At the end of term, the public can expect to see uniformed officers at key locations around the town including outside schools, in the parks and at the riverside. That won’t just be about seizing alcohol, it will be about making sure young people are safe and get the opportunity to enjoy the rest of their summer.”
Councillor Craig Martin, who represents North Lodge and Chester-leStreet, said parents should ask their children where they are going and warn them about the dangers of going to the river.
He added: “There are unseen drops leading to depths of 18 feet in this location, that will lead to death if the danger is not respected.
“Anyone jumping into rivers is also putting their lives at risk due to the risk of cold water shock and at a remote location like this, it will take longer for the emergency services to reach you.
“Statistically the majority of inland water deaths involve people who’ve drunk alcohol.
“I understand the want to celebrate the end of exams and school, but it needs to be done in a safe way.”