Water safety campaign is launched

THIS is the Royal Life Saving Society’s Drowning Prevention Week, and its campaign has been backed by LochWatch Loch Awe.

Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell joined representatives from the emergency services and LochWatch Loch Awe to launch the initiative to prevent deaths in the water.

Some 400 people drown in the UK each year, around 70 of them in Scotland. The vast majority are men and most of those victims are aged between 18 and 30.

Research shows that almost half had no intention of entering the water and alcohol often played a part.

Launching water safety week were Inspector Mark Stephen, Michael Russell MSP, Derek Wilson, from the fire and rescue service, and Iain MacKinnon, co- ordinator of LochWatch Loch Awe.