Canoeist's death 'could have been avoided'

Oct 16 2011 by Tom Mullen, Sunday Sun

THE family of a canoeist who drowned in a North river after becoming trapped in swirling waters today told how they believe he could have been saved.

Andrew Weatherill, 33, died after becoming trapped in a weir along the River Tyne at Riding Mill, Northumberland.

The former soldier had successfully negotiated the river from Hexham, taking local advice on particularly dangerous areas to avoid.

But he lost control of his canoe in high waters, and was apparently unable to steer away from an approaching pumping station at Riding Mill.

A sign marked “danger” was displayed, but an inquest into Mr Weatherill’s death heard he may not have seen it until it was too late.

Now, after a coroner pledged to demand more warning signs along the river, Mr Weatherill’s family, from Hartlepool, say they believe the accident could have been avoided. His partner Rachel Johnson, 22, who is mother to their one-year-old child Charlie and now lives in Ryton, Gateshead, said: “He was experienced at canoeing in the sea, but not in rivers.

“If there were more signs further up the river he would’ve had more time. I think there has to be a lot more signs, not just one, to justify how dangerous that stretch is.

“It’s still very difficult. I still haven’t come to terms with it. Obviously when our son was born, that is a really special memory. He was the perfect dad. Charlie was only four months old when it happened, but we have photos and he knows who his dad is.”

Andrew’s father, Roland, 61, said: “I would’ve thought this could have been prevented. He was an experienced canoeist and knew what he was doing.

“If he had seen more signs he would’ve known what to do. He had all the life-saving equipment on him, which unfortunately didn’t help him.”