Skip to main content
Home
ReciteMe Accessibility Tool
Search

People often search for...

When should I test my smoke alarm?
Home safety visits
Thatch fire safety
Report a problem with a fire hydrant
How safe is my heater?
Chimney fires
Menu
  • About us
    Back
    About us
    • Who We Are
      Back
      Who We Are
      • Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority(link is external)
      • Senior Leadership
      • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
      • Our Mission and Values
      • Local Resilience Forum (link is external)
      • Collaboration
    • Where we are
    • Community Engagement Panel
  • News
    Back
    News
    • Newsroom
    • Incidents
    • Events
  • Information we Publish
    Back
    Information we Publish
    • Publication Scheme
    • Community Risk Management Plan
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Requests for Information
    • Financial Information
      Back
      Financial Information
      • Finance and Budgets
      • Procurement
    • Pensions
    • Public consultations
    • London Luton Airport: Car Park 2 Incident Review
  • Safety Advice
  • Business Safety Advice
    Back
    Business Safety Advice
    • Workplaces and Businesses
    • Business Engagement
    • Fire Safety Law
    • Building Regulations and Fire Safety Consultations
    • Fire Safety & Enforcement
    • Fire Risk Assessment
    • Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
    • False Alarms
    • Emergency Plans & Business Continuity
  • Children & Young People
    Back
    Children & Young People
    • Join the fire cadets
    • School Visits and Schools' Resources
    • Childrens' Activity Zone(link is external)
    • Safety Awareness and Fire Education (SAFE) Intervention
    • Keeping Children Safe at Home
    • Safety in and around open water
    • Vision
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
    Back
    Careers
    • Careers
    • Vacancies
    • Become an On-Call Firefighter
    • Become a Wholetime Firefighter
    • Support Staff Roles
    • Become a Fire Control Operator
    • Transfer Opportunities
    • Promotion Gateways
    • Why Join Us
    • Volunteering
  • About us
    Back
    About us
    • Who We Are
      Back
      Who We Are
      • Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority(link is external)
      • Senior Leadership
      • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
      • Our Mission and Values
      • Local Resilience Forum (link is external)
      • Collaboration
    • Where we are
    • Community Engagement Panel
  • News
    Back
    News
    • Newsroom
    • Incidents
    • Events
  • Information we Publish
    Back
    Information we Publish
    • Publication Scheme
    • Community Risk Management Plan
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Requests for Information
    • Financial Information
      Back
      Financial Information
      • Finance and Budgets
      • Procurement
    • Pensions
    • Public consultations
    • London Luton Airport: Car Park 2 Incident Review
  • Safety Advice
  • Business Safety Advice
    Back
    Business Safety Advice
    • Workplaces and Businesses
    • Business Engagement
    • Fire Safety Law
    • Building Regulations and Fire Safety Consultations
    • Fire Safety & Enforcement
    • Fire Risk Assessment
    • Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
    • False Alarms
    • Emergency Plans & Business Continuity
  • Children & Young People
    Back
    Children & Young People
    • Join the fire cadets
    • School Visits and Schools' Resources
    • Childrens' Activity Zone(link is external)
    • Safety Awareness and Fire Education (SAFE) Intervention
    • Keeping Children Safe at Home
    • Safety in and around open water
    • Vision
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
    Back
    Careers
    • Careers
    • Vacancies
    • Become an On-Call Firefighter
    • Become a Wholetime Firefighter
    • Support Staff Roles
    • Become a Fire Control Operator
    • Transfer Opportunities
    • Promotion Gateways
    • Why Join Us
    • Volunteering
Newsroom
21 Jun 2023
Press releases
Back

Third drowning in Bedford shows public could be requesting the wrong emergency service when dialling 999

If someone is in trouble in water call fire service

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, along with Bedfordshire Police and East of England Ambulance Service, are saddened by the death of an individual who drowned in Cardington lock in Bedford on Friday evening (16/06). The young man was 18 years of age and was playing with friends in the water during the hot weather.

Members of the public around him rightly phoned 999 for help once they realised that he was in trouble. Emergency Services arrived on scene and were able to successfully revive him but sadly he passed away in hospital later that day. This comes weeks after the deaths of two women who drowned in Kempston weir whilst canoeing.

We are appealing to the public to remember the importance of acting as quickly as possible when someone could be drowning. This means calling 999 immediately and asking for the Fire Service if in-land (not at the coast). Any delay to the Fire Service’s arrival could be the difference between life and death.

Group Commander, Robert Hulatt said, 'when someone is in trouble within the water, every second counts. The fire service is trained and equipped to respond and effect rescue at water related incidents, therefore fast deployment of our water rescue resources is crucial. Calling our partner emergency services will of course lead to the Fire Service deployment, however vital time could be lost. If you see someone in trouble within the water do not attempt to get into the water to rescue them yourself, call 999 ask for the Fire Service and then stay at the location and await our attendance'.

As the warm weather is likely to continue, Bedfordshire’s emergency services foresee more activity in around open water over the summer. This is why they are asking the public this week during Drowning Prevention Week to share this information with friends and family to save a life: If you see someone in trouble in the water, call 999 for the Fire Service.

man floating in water

Water Safety Advice

Read more

Water Safety Public Appeal

Throwline Board

Water Safety Public Appeal

Read more

Footer menu

  • Contact
    • Requests for Information
  • News
  • Bedfordshire Fire Authority(link is external)
  • Book a Home Fire Safety Visit
  • Financial Information
  • Safety Advice
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Become a Wholetime Firefighter
  • Become an On-Call Firefighter
  • Volunteer with us
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Privacy Notice - Home Visits
  • Safeguarding

Footer contact

  • Contact us

Staff login

Always call 999 in an emergency

 

Staff area

Did you find this page useful

  • Yes
  • No

Copyright Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

Footer bottom

  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and conditions
  • Modern Slavery Statement
Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

Sign up for news and safety advice

Thank You!
You are now signed up to receive updates.