GREATER Manchester Fire & Rescue and life saving societies have joined together to try and halt the number of people who drown in the Rochdale Nine through being drunk, creating a banner to bring home the message.
Notwithstanding closing part of the waterway off at night and building fences on top of the wall running along the waterway, people, usually the worse for wear through drink still managed to stagger along the Rochdale Canal that runs through the city and drown, Alan Tilbury tells us.
Hard-hitting message
‘Don't Drink and Drown' is the somewhat hard-hitting message to party revellers in the bars alongside the canal this Christmas.
A spokesman for Canal & river Trust points out that the number of accidents on the waterways increases at this time of year, mostly from people slipping and tripping on icy paths or falling into freezing cold water, with Local Waterway Manager, David Baldacchino, pointing out:
"Unfortunately people sometimes take unnecessary risks or can be tempted to make unwise decisions, especially after enjoying a few drinks. Sadly the consequences of getting it wrong can be disastrous"
A warning
A number of the banners have been placed along the railings, particularly in Canal Street, pictured, which it is hoped will be a timely warning to anyone planning to take a short cut home alone along a dark, slippery towpath or show off to their mates by leaping across lock gates.
Councillor David Acton, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, tells that the firefighters who work in the centre of Manchester are amongst the busiest in the UK for water rescues. They rescue countless people from rivers and canals in the city centre.