YORK’S rivers are potential death traps – that is the stark message from the emergency services as The Press today launches a campaign to tackle the dangers.

Our Think, Don’t Swim campaign aims to raise awareness of the risks that the Ouse and the Foss pose, particularly if people have been drinking and see leaping in as a game or a joke.

Fire chiefs say that as well as 11 river deaths in York since 2006 – three so far this year – there have been dozens of near-tragedies involving people who have been rescued from the water.

Last year, the body of Jonathan Havron, from Huntington, was found in the River Foss after a high-profile search for the 18-year-old, who had gone missing after a night out.

Alan Bell, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service’s York station manager, said the Ouse was “an extremely dangerous place” to jump into, especially under the influence of alcohol.

“The water in the Ouse never gets that warm, even in the middle of the summer, and especially in the middle of the river, which is where people are furthest from reaching the bank,” he said.

“The most tragic incidents occur extremely quickly, with people succumbing to the cold in seconds and without warning.”

He said York’s fire crews who are called out to such incidents often find that, however swift their response, the power of the rivers means they are too late.

“This frustrates and upsets even the most experienced emergency worker, due to the needless and tragic loss of what is usually young men in the prime of their lives for what is nothing more than a moment of madness,” said Mr Bell.

“The fire and rescue service is working closely with police and other agencies to try to prevent further deaths. But the simplest solution would be for people to take more personal responsibility and for friends to look after each other on nights out, making sure everybody gets home safely.”

The service says it is “increasingly concerned” about York’s spate of river-related incidents, especially around the stretch of the Ouse which flows through the heart of the city. Its latest figures have revealed its rescue boat is being called into action at least once a week following reports of people in the river, most of whom have jumped in deliberately rather than falling into the water and who have then found themselves in difficulties and danger.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Both the River Ouse and Foss appear relatively harmless, but appearances can be deceptive.

“Both rivers carry strong undercurrents and can be quite unforgiving to anybody caught in the water.

“It is a sad fact that, every year, young people who have been drinking find themselves getting into serious dangers in these rivers.

“The saddest fact of all is that, over the last few years, several people have paid with their lives after falling in the water.

“Our message is: please be careful and do not go near the rivers if you have been drinking alcohol.”

The campaign also has the support of one of the city’s leading councillors, Ian Gillies, who heads City of York Council’s Conservative group and, as a former coroner’s officer in York, knows the grief and heartbreak which pranks can cause.

“It appears that history has a habit of repeating itself,” he said.

“There are those who set out to harm themselves and others who do not see any danger in their activities when entering the river for whatever reason, paying the ultimate price with their lives.

“I fully support the stance taken by the police and fire service in calling for people to act responsibly. No amount of legislation will deter spontaneous acts, particularly where alcohol is a contributory factor, but that does not prevent reasonable measures being put in place to mitigate potential fatalities.”

The campaign will particularly target new students who have just arrived at York St John University and who will turn up at the University of York next month, aiming to make them aware of the dangers posed by the rivers.

Kate Dodd, academic registrar at the University of York, said it fully supported the campaign.

“The welfare of our students is of paramount importance and the campaign will highlight to them and other young York residents the dangers posed by rivers.”

St John’s has also indicated its support for the campaign.

York Press: The Press - Comment

Rivers can be very dangerous

TO A young adult who has had a few too many to drink, a dip in the River Ouse may be very tempting. With your head fuddled by alcohol, jumping in might seem a great idea: for a laugh, to show off, to answer a bet or just to cool down.

But those calm-seeming waters can be treacherous; they are cold and hide strong currents.

In the past five years, 11 people have died in the Ouse and the Foss. Three have lost their lives this year alone – including Richard Horrocks, who attempted to swim across the river in July, after finishing his shift at Revolution bar. Friends saw him struggle and then disappear from view. His body was found some time later.

Today, we launch a hard-hitting campaign – Think, Don’t Swim – warning of the dangers of York’s rivers.

We have deliberately timed it to coincide with the arrival of students in York, because sadly it is young adults who are most likely to be tempted, and most likely to think nothing can ever happen to them. Hard-hitting posters featuring a photograph of Richard Horrocks are being distributed throughout the city, especially around the universities and along the riverside.

Our campaign is backed by the police, the fire service – and by Richard’s family. In The Press today, his mother, Vicki, tells how his death has left the family shattered. “Referring to my son in the past tense is something I will never get used to,” she says. “Young men are not invincible. They need to think of the consequences of their actions.”

We would urge anyone who is ever tempted to jump into one of York’s rivers, for whatever reason, to listen to those words.

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