Pupils pen stark warnings over dangers of open water

Pupils at De Lacy Academy have designed and printed posters to warn of the dangers of swimming in open water.
Pupils from De Lacey Academy in Knottingley have designed posters warning the dangers of open water swimming. L-R Erin Norton, Thomas Clarke and Ellie Geen with Tim Moran. Picture Scott MerryleesPupils from De Lacey Academy in Knottingley have designed posters warning the dangers of open water swimming. L-R Erin Norton, Thomas Clarke and Ellie Geen with Tim Moran. Picture Scott Merrylees
Pupils from De Lacey Academy in Knottingley have designed posters warning the dangers of open water swimming. L-R Erin Norton, Thomas Clarke and Ellie Geen with Tim Moran. Picture Scott Merrylees

The youngsters who have the backing of Wakefield District Council and the Canal and River Trust will be putting up the posters this week at Knottingley canal and other areas where people may be tempted to swim.

The initiative, coordinated by Tim Moran, a retired policeman who is now a design technician at the school, was prompted after a number of local people lost their lives after getting into difficulties during the recent heatwave.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On July 11, 16-year-old Alfie McCraw died in the Aire and Calder Navigation near Eastmoor, in Wakefield.

And then, last Sunday, the body of a 50-year-old Wakefield man was recovered from Ardsley Reservoir after reports that he had got into difficulties the previous afternoon.

This week also marks the first anniversary of the death of 15-year-old De Lacy Academy pupil Caden Taylor who drowned while swimming in Knottingley Canal.

Jimmy Fitt, West Yorkshire Fire Service’s Wakefield station commander said, “Our advice is to not go into any area of water that isn’t supervised - as the pull of water, cold water shock and hidden dangers can mean even strong swimmers get into difficulty. We know when it’s warm it’s tempting to get into the water, but you must only do it in safe designated areas or the consequences can be fatal.”

Related topics: