News

YOUNG WOMAN'S DEATH PROMPTS 'DON'T DRINK AND DROWN' WARNING

Following a number of incidents culminating yesterday in the recovery of a young woman's body from the sea near Folkestone, the Coastguard are advising the public to take every precaution this weekend as both the weather and excitement surrounding the football finals heat up.

Don't drink and drown is the simple message.

Every weekend, HM Coastguard has to deal with heartbreaking incidents, where fun days out turn to tragedy. Earlier o­n this month the Coastguard launched their 2006 Don't Drink and Drown safety campaign - calling time o­n the public who have had too much to drink and put themselves in danger along the UK's cliffs, coastlines and beaches. Pubs and clubs at the waters edge throughout the UK were given beer mats carrying the same message.

Despite this the Coastguard recovered a young woman's body yesterday, from the water in East Kent. The Agency said she had been drinking with friends and became intoxicated.

East Kent Sector Manager, Andy Roberts, said: "Yesterday, Folkestone Coastguard Rescue Team; three lifeboats, a range safety craft, a helicopter and a Coastguard rescue aircraft plus the police all joined in the search for this young woman who had been seen drinking at the water’s edge. This type of incident is senseless, this girl had her life before her and is now another drink, drown statistic. This is but o­ne in the number we will see this summer, and, for these involved, the recovery of young bodies from the sea can be a traumatic occasion when they have families of their own. I urge everyone to please take care this weekend and every time you visit the coast."