Darren William Thorpe and 2 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 15th May 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Darren William Thorpe Age 41; Gavin Thomas Bradley Age 36; and Mark Thorpe Age 39. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25th September 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was That each died of drowning and each was an Accidental Death.

On the morning of the 11th May 2014 the three men entered the river Tyne on a “sit on “ Kayak, in the Hexham area. An alarm was raised by a family member when the men failed to return or to contact any of their families. A Police search, assisted by an RAF helicopter and other organisations located the bodies of all three men at points downstream of the Riding Mill weir. One Kayak was located at the weir and other items were recovered downstream of the weir.

(1) Evidence was given that in other countries within Europe, weirs are constructed with a specific channel to allow the passage of canoes and kayaks without encountering the tow back, or stopper, caused by the anti-scour sill at the foot of the weir. Would it be feasible to amend the design of the Riding Mill weir to incorporate such a channel?

(2) Evidence was given that on a previous visit to the River Tyne the men had exercised due caution in negotiating the weir by alighting upriver of the weir. It was felt that the most likely interpretation of the known circumstances was that the kayakers had been unable to exit the river because of the flow of water. Would it be feasible to construct a suitable landing area, accompanied by appropriately worded warnings, sufficiently far upriver to enable an exit from the river even at the time of a heavy flow of water?
(3) Are there any other steps which might be taken to avoid a repetition of the circumstances surrounding these three deaths?