Water Incident Database Releases New Data on Accidental Fatalities

The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) has released the latest figures from the Water Incident Database (WAID). It revealed that there were 277 deaths in the UK from accidental fatalities in 2021. This is an increase of 23 from the previous year. This figure forms part of the total water-related fatalities in the UK – which for 2021 was 616, a decrease of 15 from the previous year.

The recently published data also shows that males still make up the majority of the incidents (83 per cent) with those aged 30 – 39 noted as the highest group.  Consistent with previous years, 40 per cent of people involved had no intention of entering the water and instead were doing everyday activities, such as walking or cycling. The 2021 data also shows that 62 per cent of accidental fatalities happened around inland locations such as rivers and lakes.

The following bullet-pointed data provides a brief overview of the statistics per nation. Overall, accidental fatalities have seen a rise across all nations, except Northern Ireland, which has decreased. 

Scotland carries the largest increase of all the four nations, and Water Safety Scotland (WSS) has released their annual trend report where these figures can be considered in more detail.  WSS, who continue to work on the implementation of Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy, recently published its Interim Review to update the Scottish public on objectives and activities.

Additionally, this review complements the Water Safety Action Plan, released by Community Safety Minister, Ash Regan in response to the increase of water-related accidental fatalities that occurred over the summer. Corresponding with this initiative, new educational resources have been introduced into schools by WSS and Education Scotland, as well as the development of the Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) process which seeks to improve data and intelligence to help prevent future fatalities.

Across other parts of the UK, the NWSF will be launching its new #RespectTheWater campaign ahead of UN World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25th. #RespectTheWater aims to raise awareness of key safety advice around water and help to support the reduction of accidental drownings.

England
•    In 2021, the total number of water-related fatalities in England was 442 
•    182 of these were accidental.  This is an increase of 6 from the previous year.
•    Males aged 30 – 39 years old and 50 – 59 years old were the highest group for accidental fatalities
•    65% of accidental fatalities happened in inland waters
•    Recreational activities accounted for 56% of accidental fatalities

Wales
•    In 2021, the total number of water-related fatalities in Wales was 49 
•    26 of these were accidental. This is an increase of 1 from the previous year.
•    Males aged 20 -29 years old and 30 – 39 years old were the highest group for accidental fatalities
•    62% of accidental fatalities happened in coastal waters
•    Recreational activities accounted for 58% of accidental fatalities

Northern Ireland
•    In 2021, the total number of water-related fatalities in Northern Ireland was 20
•    11 of these were accidental.  This is a decrease of 3 from the previous year
•    Those aged 60 -69 years old were the highest group for accidental fatalities
•    55% of accidental fatalities happened in inland waters
•    Recreational activities accounted for 50% of accidental fatalities

Scotland 
•    In 2021, the total number of water-related fatalities in Scotland was 105
•    58 of these were accidental.  This is an increase of 19 from the previous year
•    Males aged 60 -69 years old were the highest group for accidental fatalities
•    67% of accidental fatalities happened in inland waters
•    Recreational activities accounted for 47% of accidental

Carlene McAvoy, Leisure Safety Manager - RoSPA




 

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