K&A Canal boater's death was accidental says Coroner

The body of Stuart Williams, 51, was found at the Caen Hill moorings on the Devizes Flight of the Kennet & Avon Canal last December by a neighbouring boater who was alerted by Mr Williams dog pining on the moorings.

The British Waterways moorings at the top of Caen Hill on the K&A Canal: Picture by Bob Naylor

An inquest at Trowbridge yesterday heard that a post-mortom revealed Mr Williams blood/alcohom level to be three times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

The Wiltshire Assistant Coroner, Ian Singleton, said that this and the icy conditions on the pontoon contributed to his falling into the canal and drowning and he returned a verdict of accidental death.

Thames Valley Police clarify Abingdon OAP body find

Thames Valley Police have issued the following statement:

"Thames Valley Police would like to clarify that the body of the woman found in Abingdon yesterday evening (29/11) was discovered in a lake beside the marina, and not in the marina itself."

Body of OAP found in Abingdon Marina

Thames Valley Police today confirm that the body of a woman found at South Quay in the marina in Abingdon shortly after 8pm yesterday (Wednesday) is that of Abingdon resident, Valerie Adams, 75. 

Police are not treating the death as suspicious at this time.

Woman dies after falling in the K&A Canal in Reading

A woman died in hospital after being pulled from the River Kennet near to the junction with the River Thames this morning (Saturday).

Shortly after 10am police were called to the scene following reports of a woman in the water. With the help of fire officers from Reading the woman was recovered and taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital where she later died.

Eye witnesses say that there was a mobility scooter near the scene that is believed to belong to the dead woman.

Police would like to hear from any witness to the incident who should call Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505

Don't make river water your last drink say firefighters

The dangers of drinking alcohol near the water are being highlighted in a campaign by Avon Fire & Rescue Service to keep revellers in Bath safe this summer.

“Make sure river water isn’t your last drink” is the message to those out enjoying the sunshine in the run up to the August Bank Holiday weekend.

This warning comes in response to the number of rescues from water that they make in the city every year — many of them alcohol related.

Firefighters trained in water rescue at Bath Fire Station go to at least one water rescue every month and crews were also involved in searches for the student James Bubear who was tragically found dead in the River Avon following a night out in Bath.

Denis McCann from Avon Fire & Rescue Service said: “We’re realistic and understand that in the warm weather people may want to be out by the water, drinking alcohol. All we ask is that they enjoy themselves safely.

“Rivers, canals and open water can present a real danger if you’ve had a drink. The water can be extremely cold, and added to the effects of alcohol, can dramatically affect the reactions of even the strongest swimmer.

“And we are urging visitors and residents of Bath to think carefully about how they are getting home at the end of the night. If your walk home takes you past water consider an alternative route, getting a taxi, drinking less alcohol or having a glass of water between each drink to help you keep your wits about you?”

The campaign is being supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath and North East Somerset NHS, Bath Pubwatch and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

To promote the water safety campaign Avon Fire & Rescue Service has teamed up with Abbey Taxis in Bath in a competition to win a journey home from the city.

For more information go to: Free ride home    

Drowned K&A boater named

The man who's body was found in the Kennet & Avon Canal at Caen Hill on the Devizes Flight on Monday afternoon was named today as Stuart Williams, 51.

The British Waterways moorings at the top of Caen Hill on the K&A Canal: Picture by Bob Naylor

Mr Williams had kept his narrowboat, Daylight Monarch, on the BW moorings at Caen Hill for the last 18 months.  It is believed he slipped into the ice covered canal while walking his dog and it was the confused dog pining on the moorings that alerted another boater who looked and spotted Mr Williams in the water.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner has been informed.

River Avon drowning victim named

The man, who's body was recovered from the River Avon near Locksbridge sluice on the morning of Tuesday 19 October 2010, has been named by the Police as Saul Thompson, 29. 

He had been missing since he was last seen at the Hillview Lodge mentall health unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath on the evening of Wednesday 29 September 2010.