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Joseph Drew Whiteside

Ref: 2013-0377 Date: 16 Dec 2013 Coroner: Andrew Haigh Area: Staffordshire (South) Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

Numerous drownings of intoxicated individuals in the River Trent highlight the need for improved safety measures, such as fencing and warning signs, at main access points.

Date 16 Dec 2013
56-day deadline 10 Feb 2014
Responses identified 1 of 1
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary
Numerous drownings of intoxicated individuals in the River Trent highlight the need for improved safety measures, such as fencing and warning signs, at main access points.
View full coroner's concerns
_ Since have been a Coroner in this jurisdiction have held Inquests into the deaths of a number of young men who in an intoxicated state have fallen into the River Trent at Burton and drowned: fully understand that at Burton the river does split and there are numerous access points to the water, am told that in one or two places there are life buoys and now wonder that if in the main access points there should be further safety measures such as fencing andlor warning signs. should be grateful if you could carry out a review to see if any further such action should be taken

Responses

1 respondent
East Staffordshire Borough Council1 Local Authority / Fire Service
16 Jan 2014 PDF
Action Planned

East Staffordshire Borough Council appointed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to conduct inland water safety reviews across Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter and will be acting upon their recommendations as soon as practicable. (AI summary)

View full response
Dear Mr Haigh Re: Joseph Drew Whiteside (Deceased) Thank you for advising me of your concerns regarding access to the River Trent at Burton upon Trent; am able to inform you the Council appointed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to conduct inland water safety reviews, across Burton- upon-Trent and Uttoxeter: The review was undertaken across five days in October and November 2013. The overall aim of the review was to identify any areas where physical coritrols need to be changed to meet current safety expectations and to identify any overall management arrangements that need to be implemented to maintain an acceptable level of public safety across the Councils' portfolio. Overall it was found that the average risk rating was in the "lower risk level" , eight locations were rated within the "increased risk" category. RoSPA have made recommendations to reduce the risk to an acceptable level and the Council will be acting upon these recommendations as soon as is practicable_ hope you are reassured the Council and officers are always reviewing safety of inland waterways and act to prevent members of the public and our employees ziccidentally entering the water, should you have any concerns over specific areas of the river you consider to be a hazard to the public we would be happy to discuss these further:

Report sections

Investigation and inquest
On the 10 May 2013 commenced an investigation into the death of Joseph Drew Whiteside aged
20. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 11 December 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death.
Circumstances of the death
Joseph Whiteside's body was found in the River Trent in Burton on 1Oth May 2013. It is likely that late on the Znd May 2013 in an intoxicated state he had fallen into the river; had been unable to extricate himself and had drowned.
Action should be taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action:

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Related inquiry recommendations

Similar themes
ICL Inquiry Replace Buried Metallic LPG Pipes ICL Inquiry New LPG Safety Regime ICL Inquiry LPG Supplier Registration ICL Inquiry Polyethylene Piping Research Taylor Inquiry Remove all spikes and inward-facing constructions from perimeter and radial fences Taylor Inquiry Limit perimeter fencing height to a maximum of 2.2 metres Taylor Inquiry Provide sufficient 1.1-metre wide gates in perimeter fences for emergency evacuation Taylor Inquiry Paint and mark all emergency gates in fences with "Emergency Exit Taylor Inquiry Keep all perimeter fence gates to pitch unlocked and open during matches Taylor Inquiry Annually inspect all crush barriers for corrosion; repair or replace as needed

Report details

Reference
2013-0377
Date of report
16 December 2013
Coroner
Andrew Haigh
Coroner area
Staffordshire (South)

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1
All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 10 Feb 2014.

Sent to

East Staffordshire Borough Council

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.