A recent report has criticised the lack of safety standards that led to the tragic deaths of two wheelchair users in a boat capsizing incident on Roadford Lake in Devon. The incident occurred on June 8, 2022, when a group of six people, including residents from Burdon Grange Care Home in Beaworthy, were on a trip on the lake. Out of the six, two wheelchair users, Alison Tilsley, 63, and Alex Wood, 43, lost their lives after the boat capsized, dragging them to the bottom of the lake.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report highlighted several safety failures that contributed to the tragedy. It pointed out that the wheelyboat used had not been properly maintained, allowing water to leak in and making the boat unstable. The bow ramp seals had degraded, compromising the boat’s watertight integrity. Additionally, the risks of carrying wheelchair users who were strapped into heavy wheelchairs on an open boat were not adequately considered or mitigated.
Andrew Moll OBE, chief inspector of Marine Accidents, stated that while the trips on the wheelyboat were beneficial for the residents’ wellbeing, the lack of risk assessment and oversight was a significant issue. The report also revealed a concerning lack of regulation and oversight for charitable activities like this, emphasizing the need for urgent action.
The investigation identified key safety issues and made several recommendations to organizations involved, including the Local Government Association, South West Lakes Trust, Burdon Grange Care Home, and The Wheelyboat Trust. These recommendations aim to enhance safety measures, maintenance procedures, and staff training to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The MAIB report’s findings have called attention to the importance of maintaining high safety standards and thorough risk assessments, particularly when providing activities for vulnerable individuals. The tragic incident at Roadford Lake serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from overlooking safety protocols.