No planned safety review in wake of Chasewater tragedy
Extra safety measures will not be added at Chasewater Reservoir where a man died trying to rescue a young girl, council bosses have said.
Carl Storer, aged 21, got into difficulty after swimming out to try to save a nine-year-old girl at Chasewater in Staffordshire last week.
County council chiefs said they believe there are adequate safety measures in place and have not proposed any changes following the tragedy.
Councillor Mark Winnington, who is responsible for Chasewater as part of his cabinet brief, said regular patrols of the site are carried out and that it “simply would not be feasible to police such a vast area around the clock”.
He said: “We see ourselves very much as custodians of Chasewater and while we want people to enjoy the fantastic setting, we make it very clear that swimming isn’t allowed.
“There are many warning signs in place, lifebelts stationed along the shore and our rangers routinely patrol the area asking people not to go in the water.
"However the reservoir has a large perimeter and it simply wouldn’t be feasible to police such a vast area around the clock.
“The death of this young man, as he tried to help a young girl in trouble, is a tragic reminder of why people shouldn’t be tempted to swim in reservoirs and quarries, no matter how inviting they may look.”
Tragic Mr Storer, who was from Tamworth, was hailed a hero after going into the water to try to help the young girl, who got out safely.
Extra police patrols have been put in place around Chasewater while officers and council officials have warned people of the dangers of swimming in the reservoir.
