River tragedies prompt calls for action in city

EXTRA training could be given to nightclub door staff, taxi drivers and volunteers in York to help them deal with revellers after the death of two young people in the city’s rivers in the space of a few weeks.
Megan RobertsMegan Roberts
Megan Roberts

The proposal was discussed at an urgent ‘river safety summit’ organised in a bid to stop people falling into the River Ouse and River Foss late at night.

It comes after the deaths of Wetherby student Megan Roberts, 20, and music shop worker Ben Clarkson, 22, originally from Leeds, in separate incidents. Both are thought to have fallen in rivers in York while on nights out.

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The summit, called by North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan, was held on Tuesday night at York St John University.

Representatives from York Council, the city’s universities and students’ unions, emergency services, voluntary groups attended the meeting.

It was held in private, but Mrs Mulligan said talks “focused on prevention and education, with a commitment to develop an action plan to progress some of the collaboration opportunities discussed at the summit”.

Among the plans discussed was a new package of “vulnerability training” offered to all those working in York’s night-time economy, from door staff to police officers, and taxi drivers to members of the ‘street angels’ volunteers team.

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Officials also discussed the merits of a new campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of York’s rivers, possibly involving family members of victims who have recently come forward to offer help.

Mrs Mulligan said: “I can only speak for myself, but I feel we now have momentum behind a clear agenda for change and some specific actions to develop, in addition to the good work already underway.

“In the last 15 years, there have been at least 25 river deaths in York and recent tragedies have called the issue into sharp focus.

“I am therefore encouraged that there was agreement on the need to develop a city-wide campaign about the dangerous mix of alcohol and rivers in particular.

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“Having met the partner of one of those who has fallen victim to our rivers, I know they are adamant something positive needs to come out of their sadness.”

Megan Roberts, from Wetherby, was reported missing on January 27 and was last seen leaving Popworld in York at around 2am on January 23 during a night out with friends.

Her body was discovered in the River Ouse on March 2 after weeks of searching. North Yorkshire Police said last month that the most likely scenario is that the York St John University student fell in the river while “affected by alcohol”.

Ben Clarkson, 22, was last seen outside Fibbers Nightclub, on Stonebow in York, at 3.40am on March 2.

His body was discovered on Friday at Foss Bank, near to the entrance to Sainsbury’s, on March 21. The former student at York St John University, came to York from Leeds and worked at a music store.