Calls for more street lighting after 17-year-old falls in Walsall canal basin

Ethan, from Smethwick, was on his way to collect an electric scooter from a seller off Facebook Market place. He was following Google Maps and fell into the canal as he tried to avoid a puddle.

He said: “I got off the train and was following Google Maps. It told me to follow this route. It was dark, there was no lights and no rails. I was trying to avoid a puddle and my foot clicked off the edge.”

Ethan said it was lucky that there was a mooring ring next to where he fell, or else he might not have been able to get out. He said: “The second my foot slipped I knew I was going in. I felt right to the bottom. It must have been at least six or seven feet.

“When I was in I quickly jumped back up and my finger tips managed to grab onto the edge. I had no idea what happened. I had a back pack on, and it weighed me down. I had to let it go in the canal. I was wearing stuff that was heavy with the water getting into it.”

Inside Ethan’s backpack was his laptop and his personal belongings. During the ordeal his AirPods fell out of his ears into the water and his phone was broken.

People at a nearby cafe helped Ethan out of the water. He said: “They brought me into the cafe, they had spare towels because they know it happens.

“They said I haven’t been the only person to go in. They said I was the third or fourth person that day. They were going to call an ambulance but I said I didn’t think I needed it.”

Ethan carried on his journey to fetch the scooter but started to feel unwell so went to A&E. Ethan said: “After getting the scooter, my hands were getting blue and everything. My breathing was getting uncontrollable. I was breathing more but getting the same amount of air.”

Ethan’s mum met him at the hospital with some dry clothes and once checked over, the doctors gave him the all clear. Now, Ethan is calling for better lighting around Gallery Square and some railings to prevent further incidents like this.

In 2021, the Canal and River Trust installed a blue buoy in the middle of the basin with ‘Deep Water’ written on it. It was put in place after three people fell into the basin in one day. Two cars have also driven into the basin by accident.

Ethan said the incident has made it hard for him to leave the house: “I used to go along the canal because it is easy to get to basketball practice, but I find it hard to leave the house. Anything could happen now. I’m staying in a lot more, college is the only place I really go.

“The canal needs railings, and lighting. Lighting was definitely the biggest issue. It’s unsafe. Especially when Google Maps is telling you to go that way with no warning.”

A spokesperson from the Canal and River Trust said: “We were sorry to hear about Ethan’s fall into the basin. This must have been a very unpleasant experience so we’re glad he was given the all clear after sensibly seeking medical advice.

“Safety is a priority and there is signage around the basin reminding people to stay away from the edge plus a large six-foot blue buoy in the middle of the basin warning people that the water is deep and to take care when walking next to water. Our charity also works to ensure that invasive weed, which can cover the water surface, is removed and kept in check as much as possible to help provide a clear definition between the land and water.

“We constantly review what measures are in place, however the land around the basin isn’t owned by our charity, and although fencing off the waterfront may appear a straightforward solution, it is sadly not that simple in practice. We have to maintain safe access to and from the water for boaters, and indeed the safe rescue of those who need help when they find themselves in difficulty.”

Walsall Council, which is responsible for streetlighting, has not provided a comment.