Five teenagers on a loose jetty heading for a weir in Bath were saved from jeopardy by a quick-thinking dog walker with an extendable lead.
The teenagers on the jetty | Image courtesy of Avon Fire & Rescue Service
A witness said the youngsters, believed to be aged 13 to 16, were “mucking about” on the fast-flowing river but they had claimed the six-metre float had come loose while they were sitting on it.
Once they calmed down they “scarpered” before the emergency services could arrive.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service says it has spoken to the families of the teenagers involved and will be inviting them to Bath’s fire station to give them some water safety advice.
A woman who was at the scene on 21st February but asked not to be named said: “They probably thought it was a bit of a laugh. By the time we saw them they were getting stressed because the river was running quite quickly.
“One of the girls was panicking. She said she had a huge fear of water. I think they had no clue there was a weir.
“They were right in the middle with no control whatsoever. Luckily they went by an overhanging branch and pulled it, and went towards the bank a bit more.
“I knew that stretch of water is dangerous, we needed to do something to help them. I tried to keep them calm but I was thinking “shit, we need to get this sorted”.
“We couldn’t have walked by it knowing they were potentially heading for danger. I’m glad we were there and managed to get them off it.”
The mum of two adult children added: “My husband used an extendable lead. He got it to them on the third attempt.
“One of them was savvy enough to attach it to a rope on the front of the jetty and my husband managed to pull them in. We tied the jetty up.”
She said they were only there by chance to walk her friend’s cockapoos, and without the extendable lead, there would have been no way to reach the stricken teens.
“If they’d got to the bridge they probably would’ve got knocked off,” said the Lower Swainswick resident, who runs a cyber security business with her husband.
“It could have been fine, but it could have been an absolute disaster. We lost a couple of people there swimming a year or two ago.
“I told them when they calmed down they were heading for a stretch of river that’s notoriously dangerous.
“They scarpered. They knew they shouldn’t have stolen the jetty.
“The river rescue came about 10 minutes later. I didn’t think they would’ve come as quickly as they did – it’s whether they would’ve come in time.”
Crews from Bath Fire Station were called at 5.32pm. On arrival, they made the jetty safe above the Bathampton Weir.
Posting on Twitter, Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: “We’re looking for five teenagers who spent the afternoon on a jetty near Bathampton Weir yesterday.
“We want to invite them to Bath fire station to find out more about the hidden dangers in the water. If it’s you in the photo, DM us to visit our crew for safety advice.”
Councillor Kevin Guy said he and fellow Bathavon North ward member Sarah Warren had put a lifebuoy next to the weir because of the tragic incident in May 2020 when two people died.
“It’s important that everyone is educated about the dangers of fast-flowing water this time of year,” he said.
What are the hidden dangers?
Avon Fire and Rescue Service have given this advice.
- Cold water shock – Even in the height of summer, the waters in England remain cold enough to induce cold water shock, the body’s involuntary response to being suddenly immersed into cold water. It can cause you to gasp for breath, inhale water and cause panic. Remember to extend your arms and legs to #FloatToLive until the effect of cold water shock passes.
- Underwater hazards – From rocks to rubbish, there are many dangerous materials that may be lurking beneath the water. When jumping into or swimming in the water, it can be hard to see what lies beneath the surface, take care and be aware of your surroundings when swimming in wild water.
- Changing conditions – Water conditions can change quickly, weather can cause the ground to become unstable or increase water currents, which can be fatal. Even if it was safe last time, conditions change and water can become increasingly dangerous very quickly.
- Isolated areas – Remote locations may seem like the perfect spot for a swim, but these locations can be hard for Services to find in an emergency. Remember to tell someone where you are going and download the app, What3Words, to help emergency services find out exactly where you are.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s top tips for staying safe include:
- We recommend that you never swim alone. If you do decide to go by yourself, always tell somebody where you’re going.
- Look out for those around you and make sure your friends aren’t taking unnecessary risks.
- If someone falls into deep water, immediately call 999. If you are near the coast ask for the coastguard, if you are inland ask for the fire service and ambulance.
- Never enter the water to try and save someone, always wait for emergency services.
- Look around for lifesaving equipment to help the person exit the water or stay afloat.
- You could attempt to reach out to someone struggling in water. Clothes such as scarves, or long sticks could be used. If you do this, lie on the ground so your entire body is safely on the edge and reach out with your arm. Don’t stand up or lean over the water.
- If you find yourself in the water, remember Float to Live. Fight your instinct to swim hard, control your breathing and lie on your back to float.
- Avoid throwing sticks or balls near water for dogs and never enter the water to try and save a dog. Dogs usually manage to scramble out by themselves.
- Don’t drink and drown. If you fall into water after drinking, your chances of being able to get out of the water are decreased due to alcohol’s impairment of simple movements.
- If you’re going wild water swimming, make sure to tell someone where you are going and download the app, What3Words, to help Services find out exactly where you are in the event of an emergency.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
