Tragedy Stourport canal lacked life-saving equipment

A coroner has expressed concern that life-saving equipment was not in place along a canal basin in the Midlands at the time a 12-year-old boy fell into the water and died.

Robert Fidoe slipped into a lock while riding his bike over a narrow bridge at Stourport Canal Basin on June 3 this year. The youngster, who was unable to swim, frantically tried to escape but disappeared beneath the water after a few minutes.

Emergency services were able to lift him from the lock but it was too late to save his life, an inquest at Worcester Crown Court heard yesterday.

Worcestershire coroner Mr Geraint Williams told the hearing no life rings or grabbing hooks had been in a "sufficiently close" location at the time.

He was told by British Waterways' head of safety Anthony Stammers measures were now in place along with plans for handrails at the bridge.

And he admitted in his opinion, and with hindsight, some safety features should have been installed near to the bridge earlier.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded and the medical cause of death confirmed as drowning.

The hearing was told Robert had been in Stourport with another boy. They had been to the arcade and then rode their bikes to the canal basin.

Robert, of Low Heath Caravan Park, Watery Lane, Stourport, had insisted on riding his bike along the narrow bridge despite appeals from his friend to use a larger bridge nearby.

He had passed the half-way point when he had slipped and fallen into the water.

Mr Williams, reading a statement, said: "His friend did not know what to do. He considered jumping into the water to help him but was not a strong swimmer himself."

Mr Stammers said life-saving equipment had been removed years ago due to problems with vandalism.

He said risk assessments were carried out by staff and despite a photo of the bridge taken last time there had been no request for measures.

Mr Williams said: "I cannot understand why people would vandalise something which could save their own lives. I have heard from Mr Stammers and there is acceptance some equipment should have been in place."