2BR News
Almost half of people who drowned in Lancashire had drunk alcohol

Published by at 5:31am 7th December 2018
Figures show almost half of the people who drowned in Lancashire in the last five years had alcohol in their system.
Now a new campaign's trying to cut the number of these deaths.
We're being urged to avoid taking a shortcut by a canal or river after a night out.
Lancashire is now considered a high-risk county by Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) after stats revealed 31 people accidentally drowned in the last five years.
15 of these (48%) were found to have had alcohol in their system, making Lancashire the 3rd highest county for alcohol related drownings in the UK.
Laurence Hickin, RLSS UK Community Drowning Prevention Coordinator for the Lancashire area, said:
"People tragically die each year because they've entered the water with alcohol in their bloodstream, either deliberately or completely by accident. Drinking near or in water can be a dangerous and deadly cocktail. Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to survive in water.
"When walking home from a night out, avoid routes that are alongside water, particularly in the darkness, and always stay with and look out for your friends.
"We want everyone to have a great time this Christmas and our Don't Drink and Drown campaign gives essential advice to party-goers to make sure they know how to stay safe when they're out celebrating."
Their advice to stay safe this Christmas is:
- Don't walk home near water, you might fall in
- Look out for your friends, make sure they get home safely
- Don't enter the water if you have been drinking
- Alcohol seriously affects your ability to get yourself out of trouble
Don't Drink and Drown was launched in 2014 following a string of tragic drownings of young people.
Research indicated that around a quarter of all adult drowning victims have alcohol in their bloodstream and RLSS UK were keen to prevent more tragedies by providing a strategic approach in hot spot areas.
More news from across Lancashire
Contact Us
If you would like to submit a query or provide more information on this story please get in touch below.

Lancashire economy boosted by almost £2m since fracking resumed
Cuadrilla says their investment locally is "just the tip of the iceberg"

Lancashire man claims ISIS teen's UK return would be "a big security risk"
He's been speaking to 2BR about Shamima Begum

Lancashire sisters looking for a forever home
The search is on to find adoptive parents for the siblings
Lancashire economy boosted by almost £2m since fracking resumed
Local News: Cuadrilla says their investment locally is "just the tip of the iceberg"
Cathedral City maker Dairy Crest to be sold to Canadian firm for almost £1bn
National News: Cathedral City cheese maker Dairy Crest has agreed to a takeover by a Canadian firm in a deal worth nearly £1bn.
Lancashire man claims ISIS teen's UK return would be "a big security risk"
Local News: He's been speaking to 2BR about Shamima Begum
Thousands treated in Lancashire for alcohol issues
Local News: The county had the highest number of alcohol related hospital admissions in the North West
RSPCA Preston branch reopening next month
Local News: It was closed in 2017 for sub-standard practices
Deaf man learns how to communicate in his 70s
Nepal: In the final episode of 2BR's special report from Nepal, we meet the older Deaf people who've only just learned to communicate.
Uganda Appeal: Re-visiting some of the people 2BR met
Local News: A month on, 2BR has a few updates for you
Lionel Messi seals Barcelona win over Sevilla with 50th career hat-trick
Sport: Lionel Messi scored the 50th hat-trick of his career as Barcelona twice came from behind to defeat Sevilla 4-2 in La Liga.
Revealed: What happens inside a celebrity freebie lounge
Showbiz: If you haven't heard of celebrity gifting lounges before, you're not alone.
Linda Razzell: Police search field after tip-off in possible link to woman's disappearance in 2002
National News: Police have put up a forensics tent in a Wiltshire field in a search that could be connected to the 2002 disappearance of mother-of-four Linda Razzell.
Gunfire and explosions at start of Nigeria's presidential election
World News: Nigeria's election began with gunfire and explosions as President Muhammadu Buhari seeks a second term.
Trade pact with Japan ruled out by Brexit deadline
Business News: The government has admitted it has run out of time to roll over existing trade pacts with Japan and Turkey in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Slovak-speaking parrot found on airport runway reunited with owner
Strange News: A missing parrot has been reunited with its owner after recognising the Slovakian language it was taught.
MORTGAGES: What to expect in 2018
Local News: How you can pay your mortgage off early
Near misses in drowning need to be talked about
Local News: They're the lucky ones - says Lancashire mum
Trip to London for A&E campaigners
Local News: Joining the 'Unite' march
LIVES IN LANCASHIRE: Tom Heaton
Local News: See how the keeper is saving more than just shots in Lancashire
HALF PRICE - Hollywood Star
Non-News: Get your half price voucher for Hollywood Star in Burnley now.
A sad end for this Motown legend
On This Day: We said goodbye to Florence Ballard
VIDEO Something Worth Fighting For
Local News: You've never seen a journalist do this...
Giant cyclist set to be around for the entire weekend
Local News: The giant artwork on Pendle Hill is in celebration of the Tour of Britain
The top Entertainment news videos this week!
Local News: Here's what you were watching!
Losing sleep to care for a family member
Local News: Challenges facing the UK's 700,000 young carers
Lancashire sisters looking for a forever home
Local News: The search is on to find adoptive parents for the siblings
Final farewell to Chorley's Botany Bay
Local News: It's going to be turning into an outlet village