Warning signs have been installed at Richmond Falls to highlight the hidden dangers of entering the River Swale as North Yorkshire Council launches a renewed water safety campaign ahead of the school summer holidays.
The signs warn visitors about deep pools, hidden rocks and strong currents at the popular beauty spot, which attracts large numbers of residents and tourists during warm weather.
The campaign follows a number of serious incidents at the falls in recent years, including the death of a 12-year-old boy who drowned while playing in the river in August last year.
A man was also seriously injured at the falls in an incident in May last year.
Council leader Carl Les, who has responsibility for emergency planning, said the authority wanted people to enjoy North Yorkshire’s rivers safely while recognising the risks posed by open water.
“We want everyone who either lives in North Yorkshire or visits the county to enjoy all that is on offer in such a wonderful part of the country,” he said.
“But we also want people to be aware of the very real dangers that open water can pose. The signs highlight the local risks but these dangers are not unique to Richmond Falls.”
The campaign also promotes the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Float to Live advice, which encourages anyone who gets into difficulty in the water to float on their back with their head tilted back while controlling their breathing.
If someone else is in trouble, people are urged to follow the Call, Tell, Throw principle – call 999, tell the person to float and throw them something that will help them stay afloat, rather than entering the water themselves.
The three signs have been backed by members of 2040 (Richmond) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets. Flight Sergeant Helen Bridges said the campaign was particularly important ahead of the school holidays, while 16-year-old cadet Meg Hall, from Richmond, said many young people met at the falls in warm weather but did not always appreciate the dangers.
Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons said the waterfalls had long been one of the town’s most popular attractions and hoped the new signs would make visitors think twice before entering the water.
The water safety campaign follows Project Spotlight, an initiative launched two years ago by North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police to tackle anti-social behaviour at Richmond Falls through increased patrols, which led to a significant reduction in incidents.
