Lake deaths prompt life-saving throwline equipment

Life-saving equipment has been installed at a Lincoln lake following the deaths of two teenagers who got into difficulty in the water.

Three emergency throwline stations have been placed around Swanholme Lakes by the City of Lincoln Council as part of efforts to improve water safety.

Each station contains a throwline, emergency contact details and instructions on how to use the equipment.

Steve Bird, assistant director of communities and street cleansing at the council, said: "Let's hope we never need to use them."

The council said water safety experts recommended installing the throwlines after assessing what could be done to make the area safer.

The move follows the deaths of 16-year-old Iretomiwa Abiodun Micheal and 15-year-old Declan Sawyer who were swimming in the lake during recent heatwaves.

Signs at the emergency stations instruct people to call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service, quoting the location shown on the sign.

Callers are then given a code to unlock an orange box containing a throwline.

Instructions inside explain how to use the equipment and advise rescuers not to enter the water themselves.

Bird said people had continued to swim in the lakes following the tragedies, despite warnings about the risks.

"People just need to be sensible, take the advice, and stay away from the water.

"Unfortunately there will be times where people get into trouble, and this is an emergency backstop for if we get into those positions.

"Hopefully people will familiarise themselves and if they see someone who is unauthorised swimming, they'll know what to do and get a throwline out," he added.

Park wardens were recently introduced by the council, at Swanholme Lakes, as part of measures to improve safety and will remain in place until the end of October.

Councillor Stuart Grantham, who represents Hartsholme on both Lincolnshire County Council and City of Lincoln Council, said the latest measures were part of wider efforts to improve safety around the lakes.

"While our lakes and waterways are valued community assets, they can also present very real dangers," he said.

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