Home   Maidstone   News   Article

Kent Search and Rescue take to River Medway on launch night of Safe and Dry campaign

A river safety campaign launched by the county's search and rescue team has had a successful first night.

Kent Search and Rescue deployed a team of 13 crew members in Maidstone last night for the first night of their Safe and Dry Campaign.

Last weekend the KSAR team had a practice run on the River Medway in preparation for the Christmas period, where there is a noticeable rise in the number of people who find themselves in trouble.

Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019803)
Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019803)

The organisation, which has 100 members, is most often called in by the police to search for people who have gone missing.

Sadly, in the past, that has included people who have fallen in the river and drowned.

They are repeating last year's highly-successful campaign, warning people of the dangers of wandering too close to the water's edge after a night out celebrating.

Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019805)
Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019805)

While there were a number of incidents in Maidstone's town centre, including alcohol-related slips and trips, there were no reports of people having fallen in the river.

The crews on hand included four bikes on the tow paths and three medical response vehicles.

The KSAR Safe and Dry campaign reinforces a similar campaign launched by the Kent Fire and Rescue Service last May.

Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019807)
Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019807)

The Got Ducked Fell In campaign placed rubber ducks in pubs and bars near water in an effort to remind patrons to take care.

Over they past decade KFRS has been called to an average of 37 river rescues every year.

Search manager Stewart Baird said: "Over recent years, there have been a number of fatalities, particularly of young men, who have drowned in the river after a night out.

KSAR's manager Stewart Baird is at the heart of the operation
KSAR's manager Stewart Baird is at the heart of the operation

"Last year we teamed up with the family of Ben Savage, an 18-year-old who had drowned in the river the year before, to launch our safety campaign.

"The trouble with the Christmas period is that people are often out socialising in areas that are not familiar with.

"They also tend to drink rather more and it's very easy to get too close to the river and stumble in."

Mr Baird said most of the victims seemed to be men and he suggested this might be because they are tempted to urinate in the river and misjudge their footing.

However, last year a young woman also tumbled in at around 2am.

Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019801)
Kent Search and Rescue were out on Friday night carrying out patrols (6019801)

She was pulled to the river bank by a member of the public and helped out by the KSAR volunteers.

Mr Baird said: "Last Christmas was the first when we didn't see a single drowning. I like to think that we played a small part in that."

Kent Search And Rescue will have two manned ribs on the river every Friday and Saturday between 9pm and 4am.

The crews will be supported by response teams with medical equipment on the banks, while cyclists patrol the tow paths.

But Mr Baird warned that revellers should not rely on the rescue boats to protect them. He said: "Our crews have been training for months and they will do the best they possibly can.

"But it's a very long river and the chances of their being in the right place at the right time are slim.

"The water is very cold at this time of year and if you fall in fully clothed having had a few drinks the chances of your saving yourself are close to zero.

"The real message we want to get across is if you are out enjoying yourself with friends over Christmas, avoid water on the way home and don't walk home alone. Look after yourself and look after your friends."

The KSAR is being supported by the family of Ben Savage, whose son Ben fell in the River Medway after a night out at Chatham's Tap 'n' Tin nightclub on December 6, 2016.

The Strood teenager's body was not found until eight weeks later near Rochester Bridge.

Ben's aunt Rita Hasemore said: "It was a terrible thing to happen and we are still suffering.

"We're very supportive of what KSAR are doing. It's something positive to have come out of such a horrific situation.

"We just hope people will take notice and take care so that other families don't have to suffer a similar loss."

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More