Hasn’t it been hot. Blistering I call i, although on the seafront there’s a bit of welcome breeze, now and then. The beach and prom has been busy, with families camping for the best of the day. They’ve got their tents, sunshields, wind breaks and all the things you lug about when visiting the seaside. It’s nice to see people enjoying the beach and sea. But in the afternoon, in spite of the heat and children shouting and playing and enjoying the water, a tragedy in open water was unfolding, not far from us.
We were alerted when a big helicopter came slowly past our house. The noise from it was deafening, you couldn’t hear yourself think, so we immediately thought someone’s in trouble out there. We’ve seen this scenario many times – as helicopters, coast guards, three lifeboats etc all start combing the shore line. It’s a sign that means someone is in bad trouble.
Tragedy in Open Water
Suddenly we became aware of sirens blaring out, and we knew that there was big trouble as the police car was joined by a police van and then another and then another and then another. By this time, Derek was on the balcony, to see what he could see. Another smaller helicopter had joined in with search. Then he saw an ambulance at the other side of the tank traps at Rossall School.
They’d come from the Rossall School end as the prom was packed with people and cars. The five bar gate is kept locked unless access is needed by the emergency services, which isn’t so easy if you’re in a hurry. They must have got the key from somewhere though as they eventually all trooped through to where whatever was happening.
Jane followed her dad and then out I came. People were thronging everywhere on the beach to see whatever was happening. After all, if you live inland you aren’t going to see this kind of rescue, are you! I can understand people wanting to know what had happened as it is a natural curiosity when so many services are involved. I hope that nobody decided to take a recording of the events as that would have been awful. It seems somehow stomach curling that people can film a tragedy unfolding, but still it happens in spite of the public many times being told by police not to.
Call off the Search
By this time, the prom at the gate end was getting busier as more and more people were lining up to see what was happening. At that stage, nobody knew exactly what was happening. But having seen this sort of thing before, we knew that someone was in deep trouble. Later on, we were sadly proved right. The services were here for a good two hours or more before the search was called off.
Various rumours went round on Facebook, and that was all we knew for the night. The morning after brought the news that the body of a 29 year old man from Bolton was found at 8.15pm the same night.
Whatever sent him into the water sadly brought his life to an end as the undertow and currents swiftly knocked him out to sea. A family are left, heartbroken that their son had lost his life. But hindsight is a wonderful thing isn’t it. We all do spur of the moment things at some time or other, but hopefully with not such a sad outcome. The family are now left to pick the pieces up and to go forward, after what was going to be a nice day out at the seaside.
When is a Bathing Beach not a Bathing Beach
The one thing my family wanted to know is why there aren’t any lifebelts up there. I believe there was one once, a long time ago. But it is no longer. From the café, heading north along Rossall Beach, past Rossall School and onwards aren’t ‘bathing beaches’ – so don’t have Lifeguards. Which is such rubbish.
Rossall Beach at Cleveleys is always busy. There are continually people in the sea here. And people getting cut off by the incoming tide is legendary. If I had a ten pound note every time somebody forgot to look round them and see if they were at risk, I’d be rich.
The lack of lifebelts along the sea wall is also a cause for concern. Who knows, could this person have been saved with a lifebelt and not die in such a way? Our thoughts are with his family. We can’t stop thinking about them and how they must feel.
There should be more warning signs, lifebelts and anything else that could save someone in trouble. But there have been warnings all over the place this week, although sadly people still don’t listen.
Eight Deaths in 1 Week in Open Water Tragedy
A week later, eight people have lost their lives in open water tragedy in the North West alone.
They’ve died in the sea, canals, reservoirs and rivers. Just please don’t take needless risks – it could be you next.
UPDATE
Michelle was nearby and watched the whole thing unfolding. She told us:
“Hi Chrissie, me and my children (2 youngest) were there. Witnessed the whole incident and phoned the services to come out and help.
“The young man certainly did not take his own life. He was in the sea with his friends, playing catch/football in the sea. One of his friends threw it out he went to fetch it and was suddenly gone. The family were in a bad way. The young gentleman who passed certainly did not take his own life. The whole family/friends were enjoying life, having a bbq and listening to music. Just enjoying being young. Hope this clears up the confusion as I wouldn’t like the family or friends to read the rumours.
“My 11 year was excellent, tried to help calm them whilst helping me with my youngest (tried to not let him see) and the police. He really helped us all. Also can I add when I brought my children away with the Police request. I was warning people who were walking down to stay away to let the emergency services do their job. A LOT OF people ignored me and carried on walking to the incident and actually getting in the way… If someone is warning you about an emergency situation please do as asked and stay away. Don’t keep walking and actually block emergency services from doing their jobs. They do this as volunteers and risk their own lives to save people.
“And please if you are reading this, watch your friends. DO NOT GO IN THE SEA PAST YOUR KNEES!! xx”
Other blogs you might be interested in:
- Ode to a Railing
- My Old Town
- Adventures with Spiders
- Bombarded with Sport
- Covid Virus and all that…
- Back to Blackpool
While you’re here…
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Why don’t you join in and leave a comment below?
Join my Chrissie Blogger Facebook Group
Have a look at the homepage of the Visit Fylde Coast website for more of the latest updates.
Love the Fylde Coast? Sign up for your weekly email newsletter. Packed full of interesting things it arrives in your inbox all 52 weeks of the year.
Join us on Facebook at our Visit Fylde Coast Facebook Group
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @visitFyldeCoast
