Water safety lessons at Stourport school after death of Yvonne Booth
Youngsters at a Wyre Forest school have been learning about water safety from two rescue charities – after floods which claimed the life of a much-loved family member of one pupil.
Many of the families of children at St Bartholomew's CE Primary School, in Stourport, were hit by the floods earlier this year, following Storm Dennis and Ciara.
But none more so than seven-year-old Alexander Mattinson, whose grandad's partner, Yvonne Booth, from Great Barr, was swept away when her car became stuck in Tenbury.
Pupils at the school looked at the work of West Mercia Search and Rescue and the Severn Area Rescue Association – and designed posters promoting water safety.
Ian James, the school's acting headteacher, said: "Some pupils will also be completing the West Mercia Search and Rescue water safety course which covers drowning, where and how they occur, hazards in water and the powerful effect of water generally including rivers, lakes and ponds.
“It’s vital for our children growing up in a town with such a large river and canal flowing through it that they understand the dangers of water and how to stay safe.
“Alexander’s grandad has also offered to come and talk to our children about his experience at a later date, which is incredibly brave and thoughtful of him.”
