First ever water safety summit to reduce tragic toll of deaths from drowning

A new strategy designed to reduce the tragic toll of deaths from drowning in canals, rivers and open water across Greater Manchester is being devised.

Figures show that over the past five years, 66 people have died in the city region's waterways, with deaths from drowning overtaking deaths as a result of fire for the first time last year. And the new plan - involving emergency services, councils and charities - will be spearheaded by a father who lost his son.

University of Manchester student Charlie Pope, aged just 19 and in his first year, died after he fell into a city centre canal after a night out in March, 2018.

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An inquest heard Charlie left a nightclub alone at 1.20am and CCTV captured him headed towards his student halls in Fallowfield. But after three 'missing hours', footage showed him walking back in the direction of Manchester city centre and onto the canal towpath near Rain Bar, where it is believed he fell into the water. A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The tragedy, however, thrust canal safety into the spotlight. A petition for barriers to be placed along the city's waterways, launched by Charlie's father Nick, was signed by more than 100,000 people, and put into action, and marches and demonstrations were held in Manchester calling for his death to be the last and enhanced safety.

But, sadly, deaths have continued, with the Manchester Evening News reporting on a series of tragedies during the hot summer months this year - including the death at Salford Quays in July of 16-year-old Kalen Waugh, who got into difficulty in the water after swimming with friends.

His death was one of a number of similar tragedies reported across the region as temperatures soared. In 2021, the