Jordan Roberts

6 Feb 2015 · Coroner Andrew Tweddle · County Durham & Darlington

The coroner's concerns

1. deep pool with strong currents
“The depth of the water in the River Wear which the three young men waded through is not particularly deep or particularly hazardous except where there is this particularly deep pool where the dangers are also compounded by strong currents. ' There is one warning sign on the Finchale Abbey side of the river but people walking down the well established river path on the County Council river bank side would be | unaware of this sign and the three small square warning signs that are in place seem inadequate”
2. inadequate warning signs
“Consideration therefore should be given to the question of the erection of appropriate warning signs on both sides of the River Wear in this area particularly highlighting known dangers of this particularly deep expanse of water”
3. low river level creating false sense of safety
“The river level was quite low, it was good | weather and most of the time they had been walking in the river without difficulty i in water | that was not very deep”
4. accidental drowning in river
“The deceased, his brother and a close 2 family friend had been playing in the River Wear | near Finchale Abbey on Monday the”

Stated action · ongoing basis

“Larger, improved hazard waming signs have been erected at 3 key locations along the northem river bank.”