UK & World News
- 14 May 2012, 0:49
Weir Boat Accident: Tributes For Dad And Son
A father and son who died when the boat they were in overturned at a weir on the River Avon have been named locally as Julian Mynott and three-year-old Freddie.
Two other children are being treated in hospital following the accident in the village of Barford in Warwickshire.
One of the youngsters is in a serious but stable condition at Birmingham Children's Hospital, Warwickshire Police said.
The second child is being treated at Warwick Hospital and is described as conscious but poorly.
The pair were rescued from the water by a passing police officer and a local resident shortly after the accident on Saturday afternoon.
The bodies of Mr Mynott, 42, and his son, who lived in Barford, were recovered from the river later that night.
The four had all been out in a small rowing boat when it went over a three-metre-high weir and capsized.
As news of the tragedy sunk in, friends and neighbours of the family in the close-knit village paid tribute to them.
Freddie had only recently celebrated his third birthday with a party at their home, which was bought by his parents about a year ago.
Polly Bonner-Evans, who lives close to the family, said: "They were just really lovely people. The family were so kind, so nice, pleasant."
She said she was struggling to come to terms with what had happened and she could only imagine what Mr Mynott's wife Emma and their two other children were going through.
"My heart goes out to them," she said. "I wish we could just scoop them up and wrap them in our arms and do whatever we could.
"I don't know how as a mother ... I don't know how you cope with that."
Ms Bonner-Evans scattered flowers into the river from the bridge in Barford in memory of Freddie and Mr Mynott.
She said the community would pull together and do its best to help Mrs Mynott and the family to deal with the awful tragedy.
Update:
Hello, regular commenting on Orange News and Sport pages closes on Thursday 30 May 2013. We will continue to provide a commenting facility on major news and sport events on orangeworld.co.uk. Contact us via http://oran.ge/OWfeedback if you have any further questions. Thanks.
what do you think?
Julie Doughty
So tragic. Rest in peace. My thoughts are with family and friends.
russell
yet another preventable tragedy !! as a water safety operative with the fire service, the general public are still very unaware of the dangers that can be encountered when on the water, weirs especially, even small ones, are extremely hazardous areas, even for trained personell, and should be avoided !!!
Simon Trammer
The river avon is not navigable above Avon Mill (which is nearer to stratford). It may have only been a rowing boat but what on earth was the guy playing at? Needless death cause by stupidity
Julie Doughty
You are the stupid one mate for admitting you never carried life jackets onboard your boat, putting your passengers at risk!!!
Michael Hawkins
Unfortunately, we all make mistakes in life and usually get away with it - in this instance there were sad consequences. it appears others had used the river that day but had returned to shore after a short time. I assume simon you don,t leave your house, as every time you must be putting yourself at risk sit in front of your PC and you will risk a heart attack, do us all a favour and cary on
Simon Trammer
Julie - I was not on a commercial boat and my passengers all chose to get on - they were just as bad as me. They knew the score. That's not an excuse and in essence you are right - it was a bit daft looking back, but then the situation was vastly different!
susan
Micheal there's risks and risks, and in this case it was not only his life but sadly a child's. Of course every activity has a risk but on water it increases dramatically, especially where young children our concerned. A very sad tragedy for this family
Janet Crawford
This is so tragic but will people never learn about being safe on the water. it may have been a lovely sunny afternoon but there has been a great deal of rain and the current would have been fast - and what about the undertow and the weir. The water would also have been very cold. I would say absolute stupidity to take 3 kids out on a small plastic rowing boat on the river.
Simon Trammer
Quite right Janet. I feel for the family but it must be pointed out so that others learn from it (like I have!!!)
Brian Holmes
I remember, when I was a boy, we used to get Public Information films on TV about the hazards of rivers, still waters, electricity pylons, railways and so on. These were provided by Government and very useful they were too. But what do we get these days? Nothing but dire warnings and threats of what will happen to us if we don't send in our tax return in time or pay our TV license. This accident is a tragedy and I wish some people would stop pointing out the bleeding obvious and show more decorum.
Donna Trahar
Well said, Brian
Julie Doughty
Well said Brian, totally agree!!
Simon Trammer
Brian, I agree with what you're getting at, but sometimes people need the obvious pointing out to them. Sad but true.
Simon Trammer
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Richard Walker
So so sad:((( Heart goes out to the family
Mikel roi
11:09pm on 12/5/2012
Perhaps ALL boaters whether inland waters or sea should wear inflatable llife jackets?
Julie Doughty
8:46am on 13/5/2012
They were wearing life jackets. Majority of people do wether on rivers, lakes or at sea.
Bill Candlish
9:50am on 13/5/2012
I think you will find the wearing/carrying of lifejackets is already mandatory on a lot of our inland waterways.
Simon Trammer
9:58am on 13/5/2012
The wearing of life jackets is only enforced on commercial vessels (or hire boats). There is no law forcing their use on private vessels (nor is there any law about carrying them on narrowboats/river cruisers. I had a boat on the avon and we didn't carry them - but we did have flotation aids and we didn't have kids with us.
Rob Surgenor
11:05am on 13/5/2012
I know that most experienced boaters, at least amongst the Kayking community often do, especially on longer journeys. But I definitely agree that there should be at least more efforts made to alert people to the dangers of the water, and especially weirs. Too many people die each year, and yet nobody says anything
Julie Doughty
5:41pm on 13/5/2012
@Simon Trammer, what a fool you are for not having life jackets!!!
Simon Trammer
10:05pm on 13/5/2012
Julie - yes in a way we were. I certainly would have done with kids on board that's for sure. But at least we had floats - it was a start. I was just pointing out that the law did not force the issue, and it should do. But in this case at least it would have made no difference. WHAT was that guy doing out there in flood waters in a rowing boat with young children on a known non-navigable section of river???? For a start he would not have been insured so any life insurance will be void. He has not just failed those that died but also the ones who survived. I'm aware of the sensitivity, but those questions need to be asked so that others who need educating do not make the same mistakes.