Calls for throwlines to be stationed along open water around the North East
MP's are being urged to back the move which would see the safety equipment placed on all river banks, reservoirs and canals in the UK
There's increasing calls for throw lines to be stationed along open bodies of water across the North East
It follows a debate in Parliament yesterday urging MP's to back the move which would see the safety equipment placed on all river banks, reservoirs and canals in the UK.
Just last year 14 year old Matthew Sherrington died after being washed out to see off the coast of Hartlepool.
Nick Pope from Ponteland lost his 19 year old son Charlie in 2018 after he fell into a canal in Rochdale and drowned. Nick tells us that he hopes the move to install the life saving kit near waterways will become law.
"It's absolutely crucial", Nick Pope told us.
"I think a lot of people end up in the water accidentally, and the more devices you have nearby the better because they have the means to be able to throw things to them to get them out.
"We were pushing not just for the throw lines, but for barriers, lighting and CCTV. There's a lot of things that need to be done, but often it does need, whether its local government or national government, to get involved and step up.
"Whoever is responsible for that body of water I think it's critically important that they have a duty of care to put these things in place. They're not hugely expensive and they are absolutely proven to save lives. The more we can do the better I think."