Good weather brings water danger fear for woman whose husband died in river
A woman who lost her husband in treacherous water says people must take extra care as summer weather continues to bless the county.
High temperatures and the easing of lockdown brings a double worry to water safety campaigner Kirsty Walsh, whose husband Shane died in the River Severn in Shrewsbury in 2017 aged 29.
She has become heavily involved in the Home and Dry campaign with West Mercia Search and Rescue and gives talks to schools and colleges.
The mother of two also fears that more people will be tempted to cool off in open water, be that the river, lakes or the sea.
And she also fears that as people go out drinking and socialising more, tragedies with falls into the water will rise.
Mr Walsh died after a night out in Shrewsbury.
Cold water
As the lifeboat charity, the RNLI has urged people to be alert to the dangers of swimming in cold water. Kirsty said she too was concerned.
"Please remind your children and young people to stay out of lakes, weirs, rivers and reservoirs," she said.
"Cold water shock is claiming too many lives, all of which are preventable. Every year, around July to September, the number of drownings leaps. The cold water takes heat from the body four time quicker than air and drains energy, making it very difficult to swim."
She said that free, online water safety courses are available at westmerciasar.org.uk/homeanddry.
"It may just save you or your child's life," she said.
