Man spreads water leap danger message
A WORRIED man who almost saw his friend die in a drowning accident has slammed people who jump into Selby canal to cool off.
Dave Demeret, who photographed a trio of teenagers leaping into the murky canal at Burn last week, has backed police warnings about the dangers of jumping into open water.
The 36-year-old insisted that people who do it are risking their lives and their safety.
As proof, Dave pointed to an incident from his childhood, as well as to the case of a “friend of a friend” who was paralysed from the waist down after swallowing canal water at Ferrybridge.
“I remember when we were kids, aged about 12 or 13,” said Dave. “We grew up in Knottingley and there was a quarry behind our estate that was full of water every year.
“One of my friends jumped into a pool, but got his legs trapped around a bicycle frame that was lodged under the water.
“The frame sunk to the bottom and dragged him with it. It was pure luck he survived, he very nearly died.”
Dave, of Pontefract, also told of the fate of a man, called Paul, who went for a dip in the canal at Ferrybridge about ten years ago.
“He swallowed so much water,” said Dave. “There were toxins in there and now he is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”
Dave approached the Selby Times after seeing three lads, aged between 13 and 16, jumping into the canal from the railings of the bridge next to the former Anchor pub on the A19 in Burn. It is about a 15-foot drop to the water.
“They are definitely risking their lives,” said Dave. “All it takes is for something to be in the water. Look what happened to my friend.”
He added: “It is quite sad when they have to resort to stuff like this. Some ladies were walking along the bank with their dogs and they were not impressed.
“I tried to explain to the lads the dangers, but they seemed to think they knew best.
“But things can go wrong. When you’re that young and naive, you think you’re invincible.”
Last week, Selby Times reported on youngsters who were jumping off the A63 bridge into the canal.
A police spokesman reiterated the strong message delivered by Selby Safer Neighbourhood Team’s Insp Michelle Falkingham, who said: “We don’t want to stifle anyone’s sense of adventure or spoil their fun, but, this is an extremely dangerous thing to do.
“There could be hidden debris under the surface, you cannot judge the depth of the water, and the cold could send your body into shock. Any pollution in the water could make you ill and it can be difficult to get out again.”
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Weather for Goole
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
