Finding safer ways to
manage and enjoy water
Inland water incidents
A collection of inland water safety incident summaries for use by lifeguard trainers, safety professionals, and policymakers to improve outcomes.
Asyer Daley
Asyer Daley drowned in Alexandra Lake on Friday, 31 July 2020, at around 20:50, when he attempted to access an inflatable aqua park located next to the Lakeside Shopping Centre whilst it was closed. A key lesson from this case is the importance of properly securing aqua parks when they are not in use.
Audrey Kiernan
Audrey Kiernan was 42 years old when she entered Swanswell Pool in the early hours of the morning on 19 June 2017 whilst returning from a night out. A key lesson of this case is the importance of ensuring access to inland water close to evening entertainment venues is restricted.
Cameron Sandell
Cameron Sandell was 14 years old when he drowned in a weir whilst canoeing with his friend at Teston Loch on Sunday, 17 April 2011. A key lesson of this case is the importance of undertaking watersports in supervised environments or those without hazards such as weirs, waterfalls, or rapids. A key lesson is the importance of swimming in supervised inland water areas.
Luke Fountain and Ashley Yardy
Luke Fountain drowned after falling into the lake trying to retrieve his oar on 11 September 2011 at Kingfishers Bridge Wetland. Ashley Yardy, a former lifeguard, drowned whilst rescuing Luke after the pair got stuck in the mud trying to reach the shore. A key lesson is the importance of swimming in supervised inland water areas and ensuring a PFD is worn whilst swimming.
Kajil Devi
Kajil Devi was 15 years old and on holiday with her family when she drowned after losing grip of a rope tied to an inflatable boat at Cotswold Country Park on Sunday, 11th July 2010. A key lesson is the importance of swimming in supervised inland water areas and ensuring a PFD is worn whilst swimming.
Anwaar Ali Ahmed
Anwaar Ali Ahmed was 18 years old and celebrating his birthday on a day trip with six friends to celebrate completing their A-Level results when he drowned in the River Thames in the late evening on Friday, 4 July 2009. A key lesson is the importance of swimming in supervised inland water areas and ensuring a PFD is worn whilst swimming.
Ayxzel Galeon and Bryxzel Galeon
Bryxzel Galeon drowned in the Lake District while swimming in a lake with his brother, Ayxzel Galeon, who also required rescue but survived, on Thursday, 1 August 2019. A key lesson is the importance of swimming in supervised inland water areas and ensuring a PFD is worn whilst swimming.
John Donoghue
John Donoghue dived into a harbour and struck his head on a submerged object after a night of drinking at the local pub on 26 December 1997. A key lesson is the importance of never diving into inland or open water unless you are sure there is sufficient water that it is safe to do so.
