Criticism for drowning lifeguards
Lifeguards and managers working at a Black Country swimming baths have been criticised by an inquest jury after a father drowned in the pool. Lifeguards and managers working at a Black Country swimming baths have been criticised by an inquest jury after a father drowned in the pool. The eleven member jury yesterday returned a narrative verdict that managing director Adrian Miles died on July 27 last year in Walsall as result of drowning and a previous spinal injury. The panel stated: "Supervision was not adequate and not enforced by management. Lifeguards did not carry out their duties in accordance with their training. "Duty managers did not communicate clearly safety instructions and operating procedures, and did not adequately monitor the lifeguards. There is no evidence of detailed assessment by the university to determine if it was safe for Mr Miles to use the pool with his spinal cord injury and with a snorkel which was against the Normal Operational Procedure." Read the full story in the Express & Star
Lifeguards and managers working at a Black Country swimming baths have been criticised by an inquest jury after a father drowned in the pool.
The eleven member jury yesterday returned a narrative verdict that managing director Adrian Miles died on July 27 last year in Walsall as result of drowning and a previous spinal injury.
The panel stated: "Supervision was not adequate and not enforced by management. Lifeguards did not carry out their duties in accordance with their training.
"Duty managers did not communicate clearly safety instructions and operating procedures, and did not adequately monitor the lifeguards. There is no evidence of detailed assessment by the university to determine if it was safe for Mr Miles to use the pool with his spinal cord injury and with a snorkel which was against the Normal Operational Procedure."
The ex-army officer, aged 48, of Sutton Road, Walsall, was found in the deep end at University of Wolverhampton's Walsall Campus by other swimmers. Witnesses said lifeguards Richard Leek and Alex Cotterill were chatting to a girl and did not appear to be paying attention to the pool as Mr Miles was seen shortly before 6pm.
Despite efforts to resuscitate him he was pronounced dead at Manor Hospital.
Both lifeguards declined to answer inquest questions about events prior to the discovery of the former Walsall Rugby Club flanker.
Mr Miles used the Gorway Road pool for rehabilitation after he was temporarily paralysed at a Wednesbury charity match in 2005.
The jury added: "His swimming abilities were limited due to his previous injury. His physical health may have contributed to his death, but certainly was not a major cause."
They concluded Mr Miles probably got into difficulty between 5.10pm and 5.40pm. University senior pro-vice chancellor Garry Sprostonsaid, in a statement afterwards: "The University of Wolverhampton takes safety very seriously and will continue to co-operate with any ongoing processes."
A Health and Safety Executive inquiry continues.
