UK Inquiry Tracker

Joseph Drew Whiteside

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2013-0377

Date of Report 16 December 2013

Coroner Andrew Haigh

Coroner Area Staffordshire (South)

Response Deadline ✓ from report 10 February 2014

Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

All 1 response received · Deadline: 10 Feb 2014

Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)

Numerous drownings of intoxicated individuals in the River Trent highlight the need for improved safety measures, such as fencing and warning signs, at main access points.

View full coroner's concerns

_ Since have been a Coroner in this jurisdiction have held Inquests into the deaths of a number of young men who in an intoxicated state have fallen into the River Trent at Burton and drowned: fully understand that at Burton the river does split and there are numerous access points to the water, am told that in one or two places there are life buoys and now wonder that if in the main access points there should be further safety measures such as fencing andlor warning signs. should be grateful if you could carry out a review to see if any further such action should be taken

Responses

East Staffordshire Borough Council1 Local Authority / Fire Service

16 Jan 2014

Action Planned
East Staffordshire Borough Council appointed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to conduct inland water safety reviews across Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter and will be acting upon their recommendations as soon as practicable. (AI summary)

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Dear Mr Haigh Re: Joseph Drew Whiteside (Deceased) Thank you for advising me of your concerns regarding access to the River Trent at Burton upon Trent; am able to inform you the Council appointed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to conduct inland water safety reviews, across Burton- upon-Trent and Uttoxeter: The review was undertaken across five days in October and November 2013. The overall aim of the review was to identify any areas where physical coritrols need to be changed to meet current safety expectations and to identify any overall management arrangements that need to be implemented to maintain an acceptable level of public safety across the Councils' portfolio. Overall it was found that the average risk rating was in the "lower risk level" , eight locations were rated within the "increased risk" category. RoSPA have made recommendations to reduce the risk to an acceptable level and the Council will be acting upon these recommendations as soon as is practicable_ hope you are reassured the Council and officers are always reviewing safety of inland waterways and act to prevent members of the public and our employees ziccidentally entering the water, should you have any concerns over specific areas of the river you consider to be a hazard to the public we would be happy to discuss these further:

Sent To

East Staffordshire Borough Council

Response Status

Linked responses 1 of 1

56-Day Deadline 10 Feb 2014

All responses received

About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

On the 10 May 2013 commenced an investigation into the death of Joseph Drew Whiteside aged
20. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 11 December 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death.

Circumstances of the Death

Joseph Whiteside's body was found in the River Trent in Burton on 1Oth May 2013. It is likely that late on the Znd May 2013 in an intoxicated state he had fallen into the river; had been unable to extricate himself and had drowned.

Action Should Be Taken

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action: