‘Accidental’: U.K. Inquiry Rules on Man’s Shallow-Water Death After First Responders Refused to Help — Recommends Training
- Posted on April 25, 2012 at 12:34pm by
Billy Hallowell
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It was back in February that The Blaze first reported on Simon Burgess, a 41-year-old charity worker who drowned in three feet of water after an emergency crew refused to rescue him. Burgess reportedly fell into the water in a shallow lake in Gosport, England, in March 2011 and remained there for 28 minutes until a rescue team that was legally able to help him arrived. But at that point, it was too late.
Simon Burgess (Image Credit: Portsmouth)
The inquiry into his death that was launched two months ago following public outcry has apparently come to a close. David Horsley, the Portsmouth coroner overseeing the case, recorded a verdict of “accidental death” at the inquest, The News reports. Rather than legal retribution, the coroner has said that he will file a report with all three emergency service agencies involved that offers a recommendation that they improve their training.
The Blaze reached out to the coroner’s office to better understand the details surrounding the tragic case. Our original e-mail asked for further information surrounding the inquest. We promptly received a response from a man named Dave Gregory, who wrote, “Thank you for your e mail. Before I reply could you advise me as to who you are and your interest in the inquest?”
In a follow-up message, The Blaze explained we were looking to provide additional information to our readers about what happened to Burgess. In yet another response, Gregory confirmed:
The inquest was held on 21/02/12 at Portsmouth Court. The verdict was death due to an accident. A report has been made recommending the fire, police and ambulance tighten up their training on time taken for drown and rescue procedures.
When we responded and asked for a copy of the report, along with a number of other questions and considerations surrounding the case, Gregory wrote, “No, a copy of the report cannot be released. We cannot assist further.”
As The Daily Mail initially reported, firefighters aren’t allowed to save anyone from drowning — even in three feet of water — unless they attend a two-day training course:
Firefighters need to be trained to water rescue level two if they want to save someone from drowning in a three foot deep lake…
The rules are set down in the firefighters own health and safety policy document LSO 34.
Under the wording of the rules, rescuers trained to level one can only go into water that is ankle deep – even if someone is in difficulty.
During the two-day level two training session firefighters have to go to lectures, conduct exercises and take part in practical demonstrations.
Although one of the first responders was ‘level two’ trained he did not have appropriate equipment with him – so Mr Burgess had to be left dying in the water, the inquest was told.
Image Credit: Solent News Agency
Changes to these regulations — pending they actually occur — do nothing to bring Burgess back and leave no requirement, it seems, for the laws surrounding incidents like this from officially changing. The previous coverage The Blaze offered provides a lens into the failures that existed at all levels of the rescue process:
The firemen, who were reportedly only 25 feet away from Burgess, allegedly refused to rescue the man, as they cited health and safety regulations. And a police officer who arrived after learning about the incident was reportedly called back after he started moving into the ankle-deep water to rescue the man.
When the specially-quipped team eventually made it to the scene, the man was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Authorities suspect that Burgess initially fell into the water after suffering an epileptic fit.
Apparently, there’s been a pattern of unneeded deaths as it pertains to drowning in the U.K. (there was even a recent embarrassing event during which 25 firefighters declined to help a drowning seagull). The Daily Mail’s Richard Littlejohn explains:
During the inquest into Mr Burgess’s death, a police officer insisted that he wanted to attempt a rescue but was told by his control room that ‘under no circumstances’ was he to go into the water. In 2007, ten-year-old Jordan Lyon drowned in a pond while the emergency services stood back and watched because they didn’t have ‘water rescue’ training.
And the following year, Karl Malton, 32, drowned in 18 inches of water in Lincolnshire, when a senior fire officer stopped his men climbing down a 15 ft bank following another ‘risk assessment’.
Sadly, it seems Burgess is the most recent victim of a failed legislative and rescue system. Last month, The News also reported that the community had come together to honor the man with a special park bench at the site of the accident. Burgess, who went to Walpole Park numerous times to feed the birds each day, was commemorated with a special bench in the exact spot he once sat.
A message on the newfound monument reads, “Missed by all those whose lives he touched. Simon ‘Swan Man’ Burgess.”
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Comments (56)
Carefreeflyer
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:41pmBrain Dead Zombies. This is the value of life in the UK.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:29pm.
Report Post »Socialism at it’s finest.
“I’m not going to do anything, because it’s not my job.”
Bluefish49
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 6:42pmThank God we still have hero’s…If captain Sullinburg had followed protocol he “probably” would have had to make an attempt at the airport. I the States it is illegal “not” to render assistance even if could cause personnal injury.
Report Post »jnobfan
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:34pmHow about a stick and a rope? Maybe these guys should watch an episode of “Gaytor Boys” where the guys from Ft Laud go under water and pull out 13ft alligators with just a stick and a rope. I would be ashamed to wear the uniform over there and would have quit on the spot and saved the guy.
Report Post »Ruckus_Tom
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:31pmReminds me of that plane crash in NYC about 25 or 30 years ago. The plane crashed into an icy river. A stewardess on the plane who’d managed to get out of it was attempting to swim to shore but was blinded by all the jet fuel in the water. The firemen who arrived at the scene were all standing around with their thumbs up their backsides watching her when a passersby took off his coat and jumped in the water to save her.
Incredible.
Report Post »Lotus503
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:26pmIt’s just a matter of time before this kind of thing starts happening here in the U. S. of A.. The Feds want their grubby little fingers in everything….
Report Post »Richalu
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 8:42amAlready happening.
Report Post »http://californiaexaminer.net/2011/06/02/police-and-fire-crews-watch-man-drown-himself/
christos
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:24pm…Wrong you can’t train for Common Sense that comes from Our Creator +JESUS+GOD+ these people have proven,,all the Regulations Rules,Scenario Training has Proven Worthless,,,Do they have a Regulation Book also on how to Walk,,,TOO DUMB to even Believe to bad for the Victim who could have survived if someone would have just CARED,,Do they have a book on that,,,No +JESUS+GOD+ do although the Bible….Loaded with Common Sense Pick yours up to day while they are still legal to own/read…The Nazis are not coming they are here.
Report Post »louie louie
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:23pm“Although one of the first responders was ‘level two’ trained he did not have appropriate equipment with him”
What equipment do you need for 3 feet of water? Scuba equipment? Life jacket? He didn’t have his floaties on? So what they‘re saying is that level two training won’t make a difference anyway because first responders don’t carry the right equipment with them — whatever that is. They can’t just roll up their pants and wade out to save a dying man because of union/government regulations. Were there no non-union, non-government good-Samaritan bystanders around? What a bunch of wimps! This proves that the UK is a bureaucratic nightmare. Do we really want to become like them?
Report Post »Virginia Rebel
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:22pmWe are not behind them at all. In our area a dog recently fell through the ice and tread water for 45 minutes before he drowned. Park rangers and fire fighters stood on the shore and watched, no one allowed to attempt to rescue the poor animal because they were not “certified.” I asked what they would have done if it had been a child rather than a dog. The answer was “the same thing.” We can thank lawyers for this attitude. If a fire fighter is “certified,” they can’t be sued if they fail because the person who “certified” them would catch the blame. If they aren’t “certified,” they can be sued. This knowledge has given me a whole new understanding of how people die in accidents. I am convinced that some of them die from neglect rather than from the brunt of the accident. Believe me, you are many times better off if a passerby, an untrained and un“certified” private citizen, rescues you before the officials get there.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:13pmWhen government thinks FOR the people, things like this will surely happen.
Teach people HOW to think, and this would surely have been avoided.
LEMMINGS
Report Post »Frodo RinosBane
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:12pmMaybe they can use some of that money for testosterone injections while they’re at it. They need to grow a pair.
Report Post »PATRIOTMAMA
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:46pmOMG I’ve got all the training they need; USE YOUR DAMN BRAIN!!!!!
Report Post »Murkman
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:44pmWow, just wow. Three feet of……tragic doesn’t even begin to describe it.
How could you live with yourself if you let that happen?
Report Post »Naram-Sin
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:38pmThe politicians and bureaucrats who set these ridiculous rules should be arrested and charged with murder. Such stupidity amounts to criminal disregard for humen life.
The sun continues to set on the British Empire.
Report Post »TheJabroni
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:32pmI like to think if I were in that situation that I would have just rescued the man and let them discipline or fire me for it. I don‘t know that I could sleep at night knowing that I let someone die so that I wouldn’t get in trouble at my job.
Report Post »mikedy
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:43pmI was thinking the same thing!! I would walk in a grab him and pull him out. I was a paramedic for 15 years and I cannot imagine something like this happening anywhere in the US.
Report Post »VastRightWingConspirator
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:25pmI’m having a hard time grasping the lake of love required to watch a man drown when a pre-teen girl could have waded out there and turned the guy face up to save him. What kind of “rescue” organization would allow this to happen. I know firefighters and police officers in the U.S. that would have said “rules be damned” and saved the guy. The Brits are lost, how does a society that allows this to happen once, let alone multiple times, expect to survive?
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:37pmTo bad some “good citizen” didn’t step up and show the “professionals” how to do it.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:24pmJust another insidious form of death panels by overregulation.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:23pmI blame those who did not train these responders correctly! Shame on them! How do you get up in the morning.. knowing you half trained a person to do their job! If I were in training I would demand the whole class be taught.. Lord help us!
Report Post »My Two Cents
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:31pmBetter to blame the idiots who think first responders need training for a water rescue in three feet of water. Would any of us need training in order to rescue a family member in three feet of water?
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:47pmAbby, you really are part of the problem.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:10pmJaycen, sarcasm… does that ring any bells?
Report Post »Hugh Williams
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:14pmThe picture makes it appear this shallow lake is in a park. Were there no other people at the lake that day? If I saw someone drowning in 3 ft of water I would help them regardless of what the government rescuers say. We need to stop being sheep waiting for the government to everything for us!
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:13pmIt doesn’t seem like training is going to benefit people with no sense at all. Much like a college education doesn’t benefit those with no sense, because them thinking is unto tipping over a book shelf filled with books.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:18pmSee what happens when you pray “Give us this day our daily bread?” What goes up, the same comes down. You send up crap, and only crap comes back down.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:21pmAnd do you know that if all fathers delivered their own babies and brought them up to their bosom, that men could actually be as gods?
Report Post »Regdunlop
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:28pmIt’s time for you to take your pills now, the ones that make the crazy voices away.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:29pmBut of course doctors steal that from you because doctors believe themselves as gods. That’s probably why the medical symbol is a winged staff with a serpent around it, in that it represents keeping fathers from being gods.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:32pmThe way God works is that God sends a representative to set things right, and if people will not listen, then God gets rid of enough people until people listen.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:35pmFor example I can tell that the Lord God is going to get rid of this guy Regdunlop.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:43pmAnd the whole system is set up to patronize the fathers of children. Even in the way they tell you about the power of a hug, knowing damned well that a father lost his real power of a hug when men quit delivering their own babies.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:13pmWhat is it with you, Timmy? Can’t you just make one post instead of 20? Tis annoying.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:08pmThe Brits apparently don’t believe in individual initiative.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:05pmIn any Human System… one more, or less, does not matter. Only Morality changes this!
Report Post »My Two Cents
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:03pmSuffice it to say that Simon Burgess was regulated to death.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:00pm.
Report Post »My Pet Rock can’t believe how stupid they are……………..
mickgringo
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:00pmWasn‘t this one of those deleted scenses from Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life”? Or may be i saw this on a Benny Hill re-run one night after a few too many burritos and black russians….
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:18pm@SPANKDAMONKEY
Wow, your pet rock is old dude.
I didn’t know they could live that long.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:39pm.
Report Post »Billy you‘re right he’s older than dirt…………..
Therightsofbilly
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 3:13pm@SPANKDAMONKEY
Good reply !!!!
Does he have any pebbles………..that he know of?
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 12:56pmA little initiative would have saved a life. People bound by rules ?
As William Wallace said “Freeeedom”
Report Post »grimmy
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:38pmIt wont be long in this country that if you are not trained and certified, you as a citizen will not be able to help your fellow man, whether its life treatening or not……
Report Post »brickmoon
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 12:55pmBureaucratic regulations and government panels determining who lives or dies? It could never happen here.
What?
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 12:42pmWhat mind controlled sheep. How pathetic to let someone die in that shallow of water due to bureaucratic idiocy. More proof evolution is a myth. We are getting weaker and dumber as time passes. I remember a time when people had a thing called common sense.
Report Post »SLARTIBARTFAST
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 12:59pmI think the Brits have lost their minds~~~and their souls. We’re not that far behind them.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 1:03pmand unions
Report Post »cantstandlibs
Posted on April 25, 2012 at 2:29pmWow, that was a really good point! (no sarcasm) How does evolution deal with descent rather than ascent of survivability? Or maybe, evolutionists would say, an epileptic dying is a good thing, a society that would save a flawed human is hurting itself. Anyway, thanks for provoking thought.
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