Inquiry Opens in Case of UK Man Who Drowned as Firefighters Refused to Help Citing Safety Rules
- Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:34pm by
Billy Hallowell
- Print »
- Email »
In a story that seems too unbelievable to be true, a charity shop worker drowned in a shallow lake in Gosport, England, after firemen and rescue workers stood by and refused to help. The man, 41-year-old Simon Burgess, fell into the water while feeding swans and was left there until a rescue team with individuals who were legally able to assist reached him 28 minutes later. And while the incident occurred last spring, officials are starting to hear testimony in an official inquiry this week.
Simon Burgess (Image Credit: Portsmouth)
The firemen, who were reportedly only 25 feet away from the man, 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.
Daily Mail has more:
Gillian Hughes, 53, said ‘you’re having a laugh’ when firefighters said they could not rescue Mr Burgess. A fireman responded: ‘no, that‘s health and safety’. [...]
The lake’s depth is one-and-a-half feet (0.5m) at the edges and up to three feet (1m) in the centre. It is 182 feet wide and 333 long.
Ms Hughes told the inquest she phoned emergency services and begged for them to rescue Mr Burgess when they arrived.
During an inquest this week, Hughes described seeing the man feeding the swans and then moments later she says she noticed him face-down in the water. While she shouted for Burgess to come out and yelled, “You’re not allowed in there,“ he apparently had a smile on his face and ”looked like he was swimming.” Moments later, he was still.
Fearing for her own safety, as she wasn’t sure if Burgess was distressed or if he was mentally imbalanced, Hughes said that she declined to get into the water.
“The firemen arrived with the police and I said ‘he’s only been there five or ten minutes so if you hurry you might save him,’” she explained, going on to document that the rescue workers had told her they weren’t able to do so.
These details were shared during a hearing at the Portsmouth Coroner’s Court.
(H/T: Daily Mail)
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 696 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 518 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 353 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 345 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 341 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 341 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 345 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 261 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 341 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (66)
Redwood Elf
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:33amAnd you thought Monty Python was just being silly a lot of the time about “By the Book” public servants…
“I can’t save him, it’s against the rules!”
Report Post »“Really? Well I’ll save him then!”
“You can’t save him, you’re a civilian. It’s not safe! Wait for the Frogmen.”
“The water’s only 3 feet deep!”
Displacedsoutherner
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 12:05pmToo bad the 60 y.o. UK fire fighter who didn’t step aside and let the car-jacker get away wasn’t in the neighborhood. He didn’t strike me as a guy for whom stupid rules would be a big problem.
Union Logic: “Not my job”, “I’m on break” , “It’s after 3:30, if I don‘t get overtime I’m outta here”, “No scab is gonna take my job; anyone who goes in the water who ain’t union is gonna get the crap beat of him”.
Report Post »MBridOKC
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 12:20pmEveryone there that refused to help should be arrested and charged with manslaughter… this is pathetic!!!!
Report Post »KyleD
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 1:31pmSee, if they had helped they would have been sued or fired. It’s not the individuals at fault but the system they are working with.
Report Post »theamericanvision
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:31amAnd the woman that called the police was afraid of a man floating face-down in 3ft of water?!
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:38amhe was having a seizure. don’t know if you have ever been around an epileptic but those having grand mal seizures can resemble a dangerous mentally ill person if you are unaware they are having a seizure. she may have thought he was dangerous. the first time I saw someone have a seizure I was absolutely terrified I ha no idea what was happening. I am sure she will live with this regret her entire life. these civil servants need to be imprisoned. I would never have been able to stand idly by when anyone is in trouble.
Report Post »CulperGang
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:27amso whats the point of the taxpayer paying for them????? EXIGENT situations call for exigent measures and first responders are supposed to be able to handle exigent situtations. Britain has become a barbarian hell hole with insane bureaucrats paralyzing common sense and decency.
100K REPORTED female muslim mutilations in Britain reported!!!!! A civil Christian nation of laws turned into an uncilivilized barbaric society by LIBERAL INSANITY. God help the Brits. Although I don’t see why HE would since they kicked HIM out in favor of that demon Allah.
Report Post »Anadara
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:20pmNow that’s chickenshit.
Report Post »erinbragh
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:10pmSame as house burns to the ground as firefighters watch because the guy did not pay $75 in Tennesse.
Report Post »Exiled
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 1:13amNot at all the same. There was nobody dying in the house. Had there been somebody in the house, you can bet the firefighters would have gone in.
Report Post »Mamma Bear
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 12:05pmExactly and the homeowner that didn’t pay the $75 isn’t paying taxes to cover the firefighters!
Report Post »erinbragh
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:10pmSame as house burns to the ground as firefighters watch because the guy did not pay $75 in Tennesse.
Report Post »GrayPanther
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:59amI was reminded of the Colorado school that allowed two radical teens murder what; 17 people? All this while the police stood around “preparing” to safely enter the school. Same goes for these cowards in England. Turn in your badges; please!
Report Post »Glenfin
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 10:16amAmazing that they still call an epileptic seizure a “fit’! 3 feet of water and no one would help……..sadder than sad.
Report Post »RougeFastFingers
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 3:12amThe story is vile.
They let someone die over a ‘rule’.
God grant that such foolishness never pervades the police and fire departments in the USA.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:14amThis is not the first such story!
Remember the man in Oakland, whose mother screamed for the police / firemen to help, as they stood on the banks and watched him drown, citing it was not their job – their funding had been taken and their unions wouldn’t let them? (I didn’t look it all up, but that is my recollection of the details)
When government serves to STOP people from doing GOOD, it is absolutely ceased to serve its function. At that point, a moral man has a DUTY to ignore the law and to ACT.
Report Post »lordjosh
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 7:44amUnfortunately, thats excactly what our future looks like. If it is not in my union contract……
Report Post »Caniac Steve
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 8:56ameven union fore fighters in NYC would have gone in and rescued the guy..want proof..look at 9/11/01 what a black eye for the UK…
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 2:08amThe British are sticklers for Rules… and it has become a problem in America… such as the Fire Department that allowed a House to Burn Down, because the owner had not paid for their Service. It is not the American Way… It a Unionist Way!
Report Post »CanadaKen
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:09amIt happens right here in North America, you don’t need to look as far as the UK.
Union rules
Elderly woman breaks hip at Niagara hospital, told by staff to call ambulance.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1071790–elderly-woman-breaks-hip-at-niagara-hospital-told-by-staff-to-call-ambulance
Report Post »Richalu
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 12:03amIt wasn’t that long ago…….
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8161285
What are we becoming when we’re afraid to do the job that people expect us to do. How many more would have died had the NYFD/PD stood back and watched on 9/11, for ‘health and safety reasons’. Where are those men, and women, today?
Is a certificate, a contract, a policy, more important than our humanity? Our compassion?
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 12:50amI am from the bay area (sad to admit) and I remember the same story. It is sick! The same as it is in many rural areas that the fire dept will show up and watch a house burn because the homeowner did not pay the additional $75 fee for a protection that is already included in their property tax bill. The fire and police are so afraid of losing the job (UNION PRESSURE) and pensions that they will watch someone die, a house burn for money. It is sick.
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 12:51amGod hope we can save our military from the same zombie actions.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 1:28pmSorry RESTORED ONE, But if someone doesn’t pay the $75.00, the house will burn. They were warned.
Report Post »rpercifield
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 11:22pmAll I can say is that the firefighters in great britain lack backbone, intestinal fortitude, and any sense of morality. I can say this as a retired EMS professional with many years of experience. There were many times I placed my personal safety st risk to help others. What these people did who worked for the Fire Department did was pathetic, and they are pathetic excuses masquerading as human beings for failing to render aid. We are not talking about a raging river with undertow, but a lake 3 ft deep. Next thing you know they will refuse to go out into the rain for fear of having liquid dihydrogen monoxide falling on their shiny equipment. Shame on them.
Report Post »One of the Quiet Ones
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 11:19pmThey are dead inside. Like a computer program just following the programming. Reminds me of the experiment where an authority figure tells a test subject to shock a hidden person who answers questions incorrectly. The hidden person claims heart trouble when the shocks get too intense. It is all a test to see how far the shocker will go because an authority figure told them they have to.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 11:32pmThat was Milgram’s experiment. It’s legendary in the behavioral field, and yes, very telling about what we’re capable of when given the green light.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 11:15pmThis was uncalled for and it creeps me out. It reminds me of the firemen and society itself in ‘Farenheit 451’. Looks like we’re on our way…
Report Post »autofixer
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:53pmHere is the full story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2104358/Charity-shop-worker-drowned-shallow-lake-emergency-services-refused-wade-rescue-health-safety-rules.html
Report Post »acovenantinblood
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:48pmMust be Union workers.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:21pmIt was difficult at times as a first responder to stop and render aid because of the emotional toll it can take after years of doing so. But I’ll never regret a single instance. I know that somewhere, someone is faced with the same decisions and the instinct of self preservation will no longer be the deciding factor.
Report Post »I can‘t imagine people who wouldn’t respond to a crisis. Training helps but………
ARE WE NOT MEN ?
Katydidnt
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:44pmNo, they were not men. They were union workers and it was the other union’s job to rescue the guy.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:09pmI do not understand how anyone whatever your occupation or profession may be can stand by while someone suffers or is in a life threatening situation. regardless of the laws, aside from anything, I will help anyone in front of my eyes that is in need regardless who they are or the cost involved. I couldn‘t live with myself if I didn’t. I dont understand how those idiots that pull out cell phone cameras when people are being beaten to death can live with themselves but I am beyond perplexed as to how firemen, trained and employed to save people can stand idly by. I would lose my job before I let someone be harmed. So very sad.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 1:31pmMy first thought was that the watchers had on their good shoes and were dressed too well to get themselves wet. Even so, they still could have taken off their shoes and outer garments and gone in the water.
Report Post »CATALYST
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:58pmThis is what happens when the “state” grooms disconnected workers. They have become robots who have lost their sense of right and wrong. It’s wrong to let a man drown because your boss says to do nothing and call someone else. These people are less than animals…they are robots….robots who will no doubt pull the trigger on their friends and neighbors if they are told to. We are heading in the same direction. Every one of those “men” should be ashamed of themselves for allowing red tape to dictate saving a life. Shame!
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:56pmHow about more info in this article?
Report Post »mjazzguitar
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:58amhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2104358/Charity-shop-worker-drowned-shallow-lake-emergency-services-refused-wade-rescue-health-safety-rules.html
Report Post »Pattondog
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:55pmthis story doesn’t add up?
Report Post »VTDave
Posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:44amWhat about it doesn’t add up? This very thing has happened here in the US. What doesn’t add up is that so many of us have allowed things to get to this point.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:51pm3 feet of water people. 3 feet of water.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 11:44am3 feet of water may kill you, if your head is already up your A$$.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 1:33pmKANGAROOJACK, Maybe they had on $200.00 Nikes and didn’t want them ruined.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:50pmJesus Christ in Heaven People!!!!!??????
How many times does a child have to be run over in China?
How many more babies have to die in Detroit?
How many friggin people have to die because we HESITATE to DO WHAT WE SHOULD NATURALLY DO???
OK, so somebody you THINK is a nutcase wades on into the water and drowns and you???What? sit back and watch? Do you record it on a friggin cell phone camera? ]
Apologies…guess, I just don’t understand this World anymore. Actually, I DO apologize-I wasn’t there. I HOPE I would have actually waded out into the water to help though.
Report Post »5emerald29
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:44pmI’m not sure what irritates me more, the fact that the firemen stood by or the lack of information about this article. The firemen would not go in for health/safety reasons….WTH were the health and safey reasons??? I read this article twice. Maybe I am just tired and missed it.
Report Post »120pages
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 9:57pmIt’s not just you!! That was the first question that popped into my head while reading the article.
Report Post »