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Boy's drowning: 'Unsuitable' risk assessment blamed
17 Mar
Summary
- A risk assessment for a river boarding trip was deemed unsuitable, an inquiry heard.
- A 12-year-old boy who could not swim died trapped by a weir.
- The inquiry also examined a separate drowning incident in Dollar Glen.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) has heard that the risk assessment for a river boarding trip, which resulted in the tragic death of 12-year-old Kayden Walker, was "not suitable and sufficient." Kayden, who was unable to swim, became trapped upstream of a weir on the River Tay near Stanley, Perthshire, in July 2019.
An environmental health officer testified that the weir was a "high risk location" with a significant hazard of body entrapment. She stated that precautions like avoiding such locations for non-swimmers, implementing additional supervision, or conducting robust safety briefings should have been in place. Kayden died in hospital on July 29, 2019, following the incident.
The FAI is also examining the drowning of 39-year-old Ruaridh Stevenson in Dollar Glen, Stirlingshire, on April 13, 2024. Mr. Stevenson drowned while attempting to assist a client in the waters of the Devil's Cauldron. Despite fencing, individuals reportedly accessed the dangerous area, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
