Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Joseph Drew Whiteside

Ref: 2013-0377 Date: 16 Dec 2013 Coroner: Andrew Haigh Area: Staffordshire (South) 1 response identified · 1 indexed addressee View PDF

AI-generated concerns summaryThe coroner raises concerns following several deaths of intoxicated young men falling into the River Trent, identifying a need for a review of safety measures. The report suggests considering further actions such as fencing or warning signs at main river access points.

Date 16 Dec 2013

56-day deadline 10 Feb 2014 stated in the report

Responses identified 1 of 1

Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The coroner raises concerns following several deaths of intoxicated young men falling into the River Trent, identifying a need for a review of safety measures. The report suggests considering further actions such as fencing or warning signs at main river 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

Indexed date: 16 Jan 2014 PDF

AI-classified response stance Action Planned

AI-generated response summary

• The Council appointed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to conduct inland water safety reviews. • RoSPA completed the review in October and November 2013, identifying eight locations with an increased risk category. • The Council stated it would act upon RoSPA's recommendations to reduce identified risks.

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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:

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

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 (stated in the report).

Sent to

East Staffordshire Borough Council

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.