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Post by Telemachus on Jul 21, 2019 9:44:25 GMT
Just had a phone call from our marina to let us know that one of our fellow moorers died yesterday. She and her husband were going up Atherstone locks yesterday, she fell in and died. Maybe pulled through a paddle or something, not sure of the detail. It didn’t involve the boat anyway.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jul 21, 2019 9:49:47 GMT
Sorry to hear this Nick.
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Post by Telemachus on Jul 21, 2019 9:55:18 GMT
Well to be honest, although I’ve been told the name, I can’t put a face to it. Many people at FMM are there permanently and there is a strong sense of community. We however tend to be there only for short periods before and after a trip. We know all the people on our pontoon but not really many people on other pontoons. So it is not an issue for me personally, but it is a bit shocking as we consider canal boating to be a fairly safe pastime. |
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jul 21, 2019 9:59:55 GMT
I always tell first-time visitors that canal boating is a very safe activity but that locks are potentially very unforgiving of errors and need to be treated with utmost caution. I'm always aware of the fact that if I got things wrong as a single hander, it could be hours or even days before another boater came along to help.
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Post by lampiniafloat on Jul 21, 2019 10:31:46 GMT
The ease and tranquility of just chugging along can give one a bit of a false sense of security when a lock comes along - and I feel it could happen to the most experienced of boaters..
What an awful thing to happen 😢
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2019 11:45:56 GMT
Sad news .
A fb group suggested the lady fell in at bridge 46, which is the bridge near the sani station below the locks.
No details given, but whatever it's very sad and a chastening reminder to us all.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2019 11:54:47 GMT
Lots of things we do in life which are repetitive can lead to casualness and even complacency, this includes things like driving or a machine operator doing factory work. (And flying Nick?..)
Locks are probably no different in that respect, it is easy forget you need to keep an eye out and give full concentration even if you have done something a thousand times before.
Of course we dont yet know what has happened here but TBH im surprised there are not more lock related accidents. We had a couple of close shaves in our time.
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Post by JohnV on Jul 21, 2019 12:22:24 GMT
Lots of things we do in life which are repetitive can lead to casualness and even complacency, this includes things like driving or a machine operator doing factory work. (And flying Nick?..) Locks are probably no different in that respect, it is easy forget you need to keep an eye out and give full concentration even if you have done something a thousand times before. Of course we dont yet know what has happened here but TBH im surprised there are not more lock related accidents. We had a couple of close shaves in our time. In spite of what the Elfin Safety types tell you, Life is not a risk free environment. As you say Martin, it's easy to get complacent and forget the dangers ....... usually you just get a fright and walk away a bit more cautious, sometimes the odds are against and you don't. I always try and remember that the highest incident of boat deaths (salty water) are caused by getting to and from the boat in a dinghy. |
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Post by metanoia on Jul 21, 2019 17:00:41 GMT
Thanks for the info, Nick. I've just moored close by and was told about it by a walker but ….
So very sad - hope her husband is coping OK - what an horrific experience.
Met x
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jul 21, 2019 17:13:14 GMT
Lots of things we do in life which are repetitive can lead to casualness and even complacency, this includes things like driving or a machine operator doing factory work. (And flying Nick?..) Locks are probably no different in that respect, it is easy forget you need to keep an eye out and give full concentration even if you have done something a thousand times before. Of course we dont yet know what has happened here but TBH im surprised there are not more lock related accidents. We had a couple of close shaves in our time. When I first bought my boat, on the same lock I ripped my thumb open on the anti-slip matting using a windlass with too long a throw then about a minute later I tripped and fell off of the balance beam and broke two ribs. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2019 18:08:52 GMT
Awful
The thing about people falling in is that it can happen silently. People tend to think there will be a lot of noise and splashing but if someone falls in and hits their head on a hard surface they could be knocked out so the whole thing could be very very quiet.
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Post by Jim on Jul 21, 2019 18:12:00 GMT
Lots of things we do in life which are repetitive can lead to casualness and even complacency, this includes things like driving or a machine operator doing factory work. (And flying Nick?..) Locks are probably no different in that respect, it is easy forget you need to keep an eye out and give full concentration even if you have done something a thousand times before. Of course we dont yet know what has happened here but TBH im surprised there are not more lock related accidents. We had a couple of close shaves in our time. When I first bought my boat, on the same lock I ripped my thumb open on the anti-slip matting using a windlass with too long a throw then about a minute later I tripped and fell off of the balance beam and broke two ribs. ?  |
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