Chepstow teens 'risk death' jumping in river (From Free Press Series)

Chepstow teens 'risk death' jumping in river

5:20pm Friday 30th July 2010

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TEENAGERS jumping off a pontoon into the River Wye are "dicing with death" according to the chairman of SARA’s Beachley Station.

And the warning came as the Coastguard and SARA were called out to search for a missing person in the river. SARA was also called out to a person spotted swimming underneath Chepstow Town Bridge later the same evening.

Chairman Mervyn Fleming said around half a dozen teenagers have been spotted jumping off Chepstow Boat Club’s pontoon at Chepstow Riverside and members of the lifeboat association "have considerable concerns about the youngsters being swept away."

Mr Fleming said: "It’s really started since the schools broke up. There are about half a dozen young teenagers aged about 14 and 15. The River Wye is extremely fast-flowing and it has particularly swift currents.

"The waters in this part of the world are muddy and discoloured with swift currents. The deep, gooey mud gives us the problem."

He added: "Just don’t do it. The risks are just too great."

Moorings officer for Chepstow Boat Club and SARA volunteer Chris Taylor, said: "It’s so frustrating because we try to tell them the dangers. It’s got to the point where there could be a fatality."

Inspector Jim Walker at Chepstow Police Station said police were aware some young people were jumping into the river during the weekend and officers spoke to them about the dangers before dispersing them.

"While I don’t want to stop young people enjoying themselves, safety is our priority," he said. "Jumping into fast-flowing water can be extremely dangerous and patrols focusing on this area will continue over the summer months."

SARA was called out on Monday evening after a man was spotted swimming underneath the bridge. He got himself out of the water and SARA stood down at 10.40pm.

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