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River Tyne kayak deaths: Trio 'faced impossible situation' | River Tyne kayak deaths: Trio 'faced impossible situation' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three members of the same family drowned after their kayaks were swept over a weir on the River Tyne in Northumberland, a coroner has heard. | Three members of the same family drowned after their kayaks were swept over a weir on the River Tyne in Northumberland, a coroner has heard. |
Brothers Darren Thorpe, 41, and Mark Thorpe, 39, and their cousin Gavin Bradley, 36, were paddling near Hexham in May when they got into difficulties. | Brothers Darren Thorpe, 41, and Mark Thorpe, 39, and their cousin Gavin Bradley, 36, were paddling near Hexham in May when they got into difficulties. |
An inquest in North Shields heard that on the day of the tragedy the power of the water was "phenomenal". | An inquest in North Shields heard that on the day of the tragedy the power of the water was "phenomenal". |
Coroner Eric Armstrong recorded a verdict of accidental death. | Coroner Eric Armstrong recorded a verdict of accidental death. |
The hearing was told that warning signs told people to leave the water upstream of a 200ft-wide weir at Riding Mill, but the three men's bodies were found downstream of the feature, following a major search. | The hearing was told that warning signs told people to leave the water upstream of a 200ft-wide weir at Riding Mill, but the three men's bodies were found downstream of the feature, following a major search. |
Swirling current | Swirling current |
North Tyneside and South Northumberland coroner Mr Armstrong heard the men were not risk-takers and had used common sense on previous trips along the river. | North Tyneside and South Northumberland coroner Mr Armstrong heard the men were not risk-takers and had used common sense on previous trips along the river. |
But the water level was higher than usual, and one likely scenario was that the men were swept over the weir before they knew it. | But the water level was higher than usual, and one likely scenario was that the men were swept over the weir before they knew it. |
Canoe and white-water expert Robert Cunningham told the hearing that 30 tonnes of water per second were flowing over the weir at the probable time the men were passing through. | Canoe and white-water expert Robert Cunningham told the hearing that 30 tonnes of water per second were flowing over the weir at the probable time the men were passing through. |
Concrete blocks on the other side of the weir created a back flow which the men could not escape once they came off their sit-on kayaks. | Concrete blocks on the other side of the weir created a back flow which the men could not escape once they came off their sit-on kayaks. |
Mr Cunningham said: "It was an absolutely impossible situation to be in a kayak." | Mr Cunningham said: "It was an absolutely impossible situation to be in a kayak." |
The buoyancy aids the men wore could not save them from the swirling, boiling current, he added. | The buoyancy aids the men wore could not save them from the swirling, boiling current, he added. |
Earlier, the inquest was told the trio were "relatively inexperienced", had just taken up the sport and were not members of any recognised club. | Earlier, the inquest was told the trio were "relatively inexperienced", had just taken up the sport and were not members of any recognised club. |
'Decent men' | |
However, Mr Armstrong said: "I'm perfectly satisfied there was no bravado here. | |
"I'm sure, in their mind, they were out for a day of fun and no more than that." | |
Following the ruling, the widows of the three men released a joint statement, thanking those involved in the search operation and paying tribute to their "amazing husbands". | |
The statement said: "Our lads would never have knowingly put themselves in danger. | |
"They were decent, hard-working family men, just wanting to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside on a much-deserved day off work." |
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