YUSU have lent their support to a city-wide ‘Think, Don’t Swim’ campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of York’s waterways and rivers.
The campaign was launched last month by local newspaper The Press following the death of former York St John student and Revolution bartender Richard Horrocks, who drowned in the Ouse after jumping from the balcony of Revolution at the end of his last shift. His was the third death by drowning this year, and the 11th since 2006.
The campaign has also been inspired by new shocking statistics that brought to light the fact that drowning has claimed as many lives in York this year as fire and road accidents combined. The measures taken so far to raise awareness have focused on a poster campaign around the city’s bars and clubs. Staff at such establishments have been warned about the way that drink-fuelled bravado has often been the cause of serious incidents on York’s rivers, which has come into particular focus this year.
Jim Geogheghan-Breen, a River Ouse safety officer, has backed the campaign and its partnership with the University, saying the most common profile of those injured are “young men who have had too much to drink.” The campaign has also received support from the fire services, police, York St John Student Union and York City council.
Campaign co-ordinator Mike Laycock of The Press told Vision, “We are working with YUSU to take the messages to new students that the rivers, whilst attractive, have their dangers. In the past, University of York students have died or suffered injury in the Ouse and Fosse rivers and we want prevent any similar tragedies occurring again.”
YUSU will work with The Press to deliver beer mats, playing cards and posters displaying the symbols and messages of the campaign around the campus bars and venues. There are also plans to create a short ‘reconstruction’ drama to the compulsory Freshers Week fire talks, which would highlight the dangers of the rivers to new students.
“There are a number of dangers with York’s rivers,” YUSU Welfare Officer Robert Hughes told Vision, “I support the campaign and we’re working with Security Services on a number of initiatives to get the message across.”