Shocking statistics that have been released over the next 12 months show that an increasing number of fatalities have been reported across Berkshire’s waterways.

With the River Thames flowing through the heart of the county and rising water levels at the beginning of 2024 due to heavy rainfall, the River Thames has never been more dangerous.

Between March and May 2024, five bodies have been pulled from the River Thames by emergency services. This is the highest number of water fatalities and drownings that have been seen in years.

To help prevent the growing number of drownings, measures are being raised by authorities which include proactive advice about the dangers of water distributed through a variety of platforms and a new water safety report to implement measures to prevent further drowning incidents.

Gail Muirhead, Prevention Manager at RBFRS, following a water safety campaign said: “We have already responded to several incidents this year where a person has accidentally fallen into the water. Heavy rainfall over the last few months has raised water levels, weakened riverbanks, and hastened the flow of water through our rivers. Combined, these factors can pose serious danger to people spending time in and around our waterways.

“If you are walking near water, make sure you stay away from the edges where possible and take care to avoid any slip or trip hazards near riverbanks. If you’ve been out drinking beforehand, stay away from the water. Remember to ‘be a mate’ and check on your friends as well.”

The circulated advice if you find yourself in trouble in the water is ‘Float to Live’. This involves leaning back in the water with spread arms and legs to stay afloat.

As the majority of drowning occurs due to cold water shock, this will allow the effects to pass before swimming to safety or calling for help.

On average, around 250 people lose their lives in accidental drownings in the UK every year, with hundreds more having near drowning experiences, sometimes suffering life-changing injuries.

The data also shows that a large proportion of victims did not intend to go into water of a significant depth on the day they died - about 40% of deaths happened while people were out walking or running.

The Water Safety Partnership (WSP) keeps abreast of incidents county-wide to ensure people are aware of current issues, and learn from incidents that happen.

It is currently liaising with Reading Borough Council about establishing a Reading Water Safety Partnership.

Here are the seven drowning victims that have occurred over the last 12 months. Our condolences go out to their families.

Simeon, 22

Reading Chronicle:

Where: River Thames – Caversham Bridge

When: Tuesday, May 28

After going missing on Monday, May 27, a search and rescue mission for Simeon took place overnight at Caversham Bridge. The bridge was closed to traffic as the body was pulled from the water.

Daniel, 39

Reading Chronicle:

Where: Sonning, River Thames

When: Saturday, April 20

Daniel was the second body to be found in Sonning after going missing from the Caversham area of Reading in the early hours of Monday, March 4.

Police and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue recovered the body from the water.

Unnamed woman, 55

When: Monday, April 29

Where: River Thames – Island Bohemian Bowls Club

The woman was pulled from the water by three men at the Island Bowls club as she floated down the River Thames. According to reports, she supposedly went into the water in Caversham near Mercedes car showroom.

After being pulled out of the water, paramedics rushed her to hospital where she passed away from her injuries.

Stephen Williams, 67

When: Wednesday, April 26

Where: Dobson Lakes, Lower Way, Thatcham

Thames Valley Police attended the lake on Wednesday, April 26 around 1pm after reports of a body in the water.

There was not believed to be anything suspicious about the circumstances behind his death.

Mark Hamilton, 57

Reading Chronicle:

When: Sunday, February 4 – Around 1:45pm

Where: River Thames, near Cuckoo Weir Island off Meadow Lane, Eton

Search and Rescue found Mark’s body in the river after being reported missing on January 17.

This was after several appeals to help in the search for the Winkfield man.

Oliver Beaumont, 42

Reading Chronicle:

When: Friday, March 15

Where: River Kennet, near Fobney Lock

Police confirmed that they found the body in the River Kennet after being reported missing on Tuesday, February 27. He was last seen on Saturday, February 24 at around 11:30pm in the Fobnet Lock area of Small Mead. 

Extensive searches took place around the area since his disappearance.

On Friday, March 15, Thames Valley Police received a call at about 3:45pm after the body of a man was found near Fobney Lock, Island Road.

Muriel, 68

When: December 1, 2023

Where: Stretch of water near Dorney

Muriel, age 68 from Slough, was located in water at Bovenery Lock, Dorney at just after 1.10pm on December 1, 2023 following a call from a member of the public.