Another woman falls into the canal

[Robbo]

A DISABLED woman and her carer were saved from death after plunging into a cold Huddersfield canal.

Quick-thinking staff from a Huddersfield tourist attraction rushed to save the two stricken women during the drama in Marsden.

 

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-...86081-21949339/

 

 

Just realised this topic would be better in Waterway News, mods please feel free to move.

Edited October 2, 2008 by Robbo

[Chris J W]

Must have been one hell of a gust to have blown her like that. Bloody good job that it didn't land on top of her as she went in. Well done to the chaps who got them out.

[ditchcrawler]

Must have been one hell of a gust to have blown her like that. Bloody good job that it didn't land on top of her as she went in. Well done to the chaps who got them out.

So what's next, white lines the edge and notices telling drivers of invalid scooters to keep clear, or ban all disable people from the towing path

[Liam]

Moved

[denboy]

So what's next, white lines the edge and notices telling drivers of invalid scooters to keep clear, or ban all disable people from the towing path

nope 1200 miles of bright orange netlon fencing should do it

[alan_fincher]

So what's next, white lines the edge and notices telling drivers of invalid scooters to keep clear, or ban all disable people from the towing path

No. Free use of disabled person's Jet Ski's to avoid the need for hazardous use Mobility Scooters on tow paths, surely?

 

As long as they keep them clear of the cill markers, and tied up to the bollards when working locks, they should be fine........

[MartinClark]

So what's next, white lines the edge

They've already got white lines along the water's edge at Tunnel End.

 

The article doesn't say how many fire engines attended the scene. I think we should be told!

[US Marines]

 

Normal barriers don't seem to work in these situations - methinks we should have motorway standard crash brriers along the whole length of the network

 

NB// Just how cross is she ?

 

NNB// They don't seem to be all rushing to get her out - love the hands in pockets guy !

 

 

 

Seriously 1 : obviously v. pleased it all worked out ok in the canal incident

 

Seriously 2 : the canal wasn't exactly a hidden hazard - the lady and her 'helper' should perhaps have been thinking more about this - mind you, as far as we know, they aren't blaming anyone or anything else for it...

[Janet S]

mind you, as far as we know, they aren't blaming anyone or anything else for it...

 

Maybe they aren't at the moment, but you can just hear what's coming, can't you?

 

"Ever been injured in an trip or fall that wasn't your fault.....?"

 

She'll be back!

 

Janet

[Barry]

The article doesn't say how many fire engines attended the scene. I think we should be told!

 

Why do you think we should be told?

[cheshire~rose]

I am usually right up there to be first with a trend but I think I shall avoid this one..........

 

If the canal is 8' deep there someone had better tell Graham (NB Alnwick) because it sounds like a paradise for Kelvin! I think Baldock would like to go play there as well!

[US Marines]

Why do you think we should be told?

He collects their numberplates.

 

 

Nb//take a look at the "Woman in canal" thread

[MartinClark]

The article doesn't say how many fire engines attended the scene. I think we should be told!

 

Why do you think we should be told?

 

Why not? The newspaper reports of the previous incidents both stated how many fire engines, police cars, etc attended. It can't have been a serious incident if fewer than 6 appliances turn out!

[twocvbloke]

Just had a bit of a debate over the "standing up and walking out of the canal" issue with my mum here, and the 8ft deep canal (I'd like to know their source for that info!!!) probably was just 4 feet and the carer, being of sound mind, could have just stood up and pulled out the woman, and the end result is a suggestion that BW could put up depth signs along the canal towpath, so if people fell in they would know that the canals are shallow enough for an adult to stand up and walk out...

 

But of course, that would mean they'd have to spend money, money which would normally go into their pockets, so they'd probably just cut off the towpaths completely!!!

Edited October 3, 2008 by twocvbloke

[MartinClark]

Why not? The newspaper reports of the previous incidents both stated how many fire engines, police cars, etc attended. It can't have been a serious incident if fewer than 6 appliances turn out!

 

Well, it seems that this really was a major incident. The newspaper has since published a longer version of the story [read it here] with more details, including the following:

"Three members of staff rushed straight to the water to save them.... The three heroes were tunnel control manager Richard Shaw, guide Luke Stenberg and Terry Sigsworth who pilots the tourist boat which goes into the tunnel.

 

"They threw rescue rings and ropes to the women and hauled them out to safety – just as the first of several fire crews arrived.

 

"A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire And Rescue Service said: "It was deemed a full water rescue which meant that several specially-trained crews were sent along with fire engines from Slaithwaite and Marsden."

 

"The specialist water rescue crews were dispatched from Brighouse and Bingley fire stations with a major rescue unit from Cleckheaton."

 

So that's at least 5 vehicles sent. I certainly don't want to make light of what was a potentially serious situation, but I really don't see the need for so quite many fire crews to be sent whenever someone falls in the water.

 

If someone in the water at Marsden hasn't been rescued by the time a vehicle has driven there from Bingley, I fear that it will be too late anyway.

[Robbo]

Update here...

 

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-...86081-21954782/

 

Canal plunge woman thanks hero trio

 

A CARER has spoken of the terrible moment she plunged into a Huddersfield canal with her disabled friend.

 

And Catrina Paton says she will be eternally grateful to the rescuers who saved them from drowning in the cold waters at Marsden.

 

Catrina, 54, and her 66-year-old friend, Jackie Lewis, live in Devon.

 

They were staying in a holiday cottage at Kirkheaton when they went to visit Huddersfield Narrow Canal near Standedge Tunnel on Tuesday afternoon.

 

Jackie has the genetic neurological condition Huntington's Disease and was on a motorised scooter with Catrina walking next to her when the drama unfolded at 2.50pm.

 

Catrina said: “We’d been walking next to the canal during a break in the weather. But it began to pour down and when the heavens opened we began to rush back to the car at Tunnel End.”