Rescuers team-up to cut risk of drowning tragedies

Two boys had a lucky escape last year when they had to be rescued from The Falls in Richmond, when the river rose.

There were spotted by a passerby stranded on a rock in the middle of the river and rescued by the specialist Swift Water Rescue Team from Richmond, and fire crews from Richmond, Leyburn, and Colburn.

Now firefighters from Richmond and Whitby stations have been practising their skills at the Falls in a training exercise involving Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team. It tested their skills in rescuing a number of casualties using a scenario based on last year's incident.

North Yorkshire fire service Group Manager Carl Boasman said: "Our Swift Water Rescue Teams practice all year round, and with spring approaching, we are preparing for what may be our busiest time of year for water rescue.

"Each year in Richmondshire, the Swift Water Team rescue several people who become trapped, or get into difficulty after entering the water.

"The River Swale is notorious for its rapid changes in river depth, and catches unwary people out on a regular basis.

"Joint exercises with our partner agencies mean we can provide a highly skilled response team to these situations when they arise."

The exercise involved five simulated casualties, who had become trapped. Crews used rescue swimmers, line equipment, and rescue boats to rescue and bring them to shore.

Richard Hay, of Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, said the volunteers had expanded their water and flood rescue capabilities.

"The exercise was an excellent example of how the transferable skills of rescuers from both organisations can be brought together to serve our community," he added.