Police defend drowning death case

**Xenophon** · 21 September 2007, 15:42

So the PCSOs were a pair of gutless wonders. Now there is a surprise. Pathetic. They are there to support the community, but only in situations where they have had relevant training...

**vetran** · 21 September 2007, 16:08

Plastic Policemen

PCSOs probably couldn't swim or felt there was no reason to risk their life at minimum wage.

When they were first proposed, I thought great someone to do paperwork and crowd control at major incidents or MOT roadside inspections. Free up the novice coppers for real work. PCSOs should act as extra bodies and be supervised by a real copper at all times. Now its turning out they are Bobbies on the cheap - typical lying labour devaluing professions to save money.

Interesting no-one has mentioned the folly of letting young children (10 & less) play alone next to a water hazard. Look at the ages, 10,9,9,8,8 hardly competent to supervise each other in a dangerous environment I wouldn't even leave kids that age alone in the house while I popped to the shops. Should be a law against leaving under 13's unsupervised unfortunately there isn't.

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/helpandadvic..._wda35965.html

Not exactly a back garden drowning is it. If the anglers or passing PCSO's had suggested they kids should have been supervised prior to the accident and therefore prevented the accident I bet there would have been a riot and calls of Elf & Safety gone mad.

Unbearably sad though, gutsy kid loses his life saving his sister - poor beggar.

**Bagpuss** · 21 September 2007, 16:11

Who here wasn't out playing near rivers at that age?

**vetran** · 21 September 2007, 16:12

Me, I would have my older sister or the Au Pair with us. (No we weren't posh, the Au Pair was considerably cheaper than a nanny and both my parents worked).

I was allowed to go on the common land before that with my siblings but nothing larger than a stream with a trickle of water less than an inch deep.

I wasn't really let out alone till 12 -13. Maybe I missed something? But I also canoed,Climbed,Camped, walked, go-Karted etc with the Scouts many things my mates didn't do.

**cojak** · 21 September 2007, 16:18

Better a live coward than a dead hero

People die trying rescue others..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/3551054.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6921516.stm

Unless you are trained and are a strong swimmer, don't jump in.

I'm a qualified lifesaver and I would think twice before trying it - basic 1st aid states don't risk your life if there's danger.

Hard-nosed but that's life...

**dotnetter** · 21 September 2007, 16:21

What a cop out.

I'd rather die trying than to watch some poor young kid drown.

I hope most people would jump in with instinct not have to do a risk assement first !

**wendigo100** · 21 September 2007, 16:24

Originally posted by Bagpuss View Post

Who here wasn't out playing near rivers at that age?

I used to play on the railway line embankments up the road from me. The BedPan line it used to be called.

**vetran** · 21 September 2007, 16:27

Very true

I nearly did the same as the second story years ago. We had taken a risk we shouldn't have everyone was tired, campsite close just across the beach with the tide coming in fast etc. Bloody Stupid if you ask me we were very lucky.

Better not to get in the situation in the first place, Mother Nature is a Bitch!

Hence my attitude.

Hopefully though if the situation arose I would be prepared to take the risk to save someone.

**EternalOptimist** · 21 September 2007, 19:34

Originally posted by cojak View Post

People die trying rescue others..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/3551054.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6921516.stm

Unless you are trained and are a strong swimmer, don't jump in.

I'm a qualified lifesaver and I would think twice before trying it - basic 1st aid states don't risk your life if there's danger.

Hard-nosed but that's life...

Cojak

my respect for the little guy who lost his life is immeasurable. my respect for you is close to zero.

Police defend drowning death case