A Drowning at Blackpool

We had the unfortunate news in our local paper earlier this week that a man had died after jumping into the sea to save his two dogs that had gone into the water.

People don't realise just how powerful the sea is. Water is heavy. You can easily try for yourself lifting an empty bucket and then filling it and lifting it again. Then think how many buckets are in the wave shown above.

Also people think of Blackpool as having a gently sloping beach and don't always realise that there is a strong undercurrent.

But whether or not the sea looks ferocious or not, people are understandably anxious if a dog looks like being swept out. Tonight's paper confirms that the Coastguard Service will answer an emergency call to rescue a dog.

The sad alternative is that it is so easy to get into difficulties if someone tries to jump in to save one.

There were two deaths a couple of years ago due to the same reason and I still remember the awful day in 1983 when not only did a dog owner drown, but three police officers who were trying to save him.

It's a simple message - call 999. Don't jump into the water yourself.