PFD report

Adam Ben Miles · Prevention of Future Deaths report

Pin Get email alerts Request correction

Issued 29 Mar 2016•South Yorkshire (Western)

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
3

Raised in this report

Recipients
2

Named on the report

Responses found
2

Of 2 recipients

Stated actions
7

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

Open published report

Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised3

  1. Lack of means of escape from the canal for people who fall in
  2. Allowing smokers to smoke outside the hotel near the canal
  3. Lack of rails or other effective barriers segregating drinkers from the canal
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate physical barriers preventing access to dangerous drops or areas
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.3

  1. Action

    Complete a site safety review and risk assessment covering segregation, rescue equipment, self-rescue, lighting and signage at Victoria Quays.

    Stated by Canal & River TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 March 2016.
  2. Action

    Install two additional life rings on the basin side nearest the hotel.

    Stated by Canal & River TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 March 2016.
  3. Action

    Display emergency-exit and non-smoking signage at doors leading from the Victoria Quays Bar.

    Stated by Hilton Worldwide Limited currently trading as Hilton SheffieldStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 March 2016.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.2

  1. Position

    Existing escape ladders, basin edges and life rings provide adequate means for self-rescue or assistance to people who fall into the water.

    Stated by Canal & River TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of means of escape from the canal for people who fall in

Wider context from the report

“[BRIEF SUMMARY OF MATTERS OF CONCERN] (1) That smokers were allowed to smoke outside the hotel near the canal. (2) That there wasn't any rails or other effective barriers to segregate drinkers from the dangers of the canal (3) That the canal didn't have any means of escape for anyone who fell in. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Allowing smokers to smoke outside the hotel near the canal

Wider context from the report

“[BRIEF SUMMARY OF MATTERS OF CONCERN] (1) That smokers were allowed to smoke outside the hotel near the canal. (2) That there wasn't any rails or other effective barriers to segregate drinkers from the dangers of the canal (3) That the canal didn't have any means of escape for anyone who fell in. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of rails or other effective barriers segregating drinkers from the canal

Wider context from the report

“[BRIEF SUMMARY OF MATTERS OF CONCERN] (1) That smokers were allowed to smoke outside the hotel near the canal. (2) That there wasn't any rails or other effective barriers to segregate drinkers from the dangers of the canal (3) That the canal didn't have any means of escape for anyone who fell in. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate physical barriers preventing access to dangerous drops or areas.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Complete a site safety review and risk assessment covering segregation, rescue equipment, self-rescue, lighting and signage at Victoria Quays.

Verbatim wording from the response

“On the 3rd May 2016 one of the Trust’s safety advisors visited Victoria Quays and it’s immediate surroundings. Together, he and I have reviewed the matters of concern outlined above and conducted a risk assessment. During the risk assessment we applied the Trust’s guidance on the appropriateness of segregation of the public from the canal basin, rescue equipment (such as a life rings and escape ladders), and the ability of a person to ‘self-rescue’. We came to the following conclusions:”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Canal-and-River-Trust
Page 1 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install two additional life rings on the basin side nearest the hotel.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Means of escape for anyone who fell in. At the time of the incident, there were (and still are) two escape ladders provided in the basin, leading from the water. The ladders were positioned so that they will not be obstructed by the boats mooring in the basin. Importantly, the ‘freeboard’ edges of the basin are also maintained at a height of approximately 400mm from the level of the water itself to allow ‘self-rescue’ in circumstances where a person who falls into the water is capable of staying afloat. Life rings are also located at intervals around the basin for persons who need assistance to float, in accordance with national guidance. However, we have reviewed the number and positioning of the existing life rings and propose to place two additional life rings on the side of the basin closest to the hotel, purely as an additional precautionary measure.”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Canal-and-River-Trust
Page 2 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Display emergency-exit and non-smoking signage at doors leading from the Victoria Quays Bar.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• There is no designated smoking area on the canal side of the Hotel. The designated smoking area is at the front of the Hotel. Signage is present on the doors leading out from the Victoria Quays Bar to read: EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY – Please make use of the smoking area at the front of the Hotel. The sign will seek to remind and reinforce to guests and other users that this area is a non-smoking area and that the Hotel’s smoking area remains at the front of the Hotel;”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Hilton-Hotel
Page 1 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing escape ladders, basin edges and life rings provide adequate means for self-rescue or assistance to people who fall into the water.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Means of escape for anyone who fell in. At the time of the incident, there were (and still are) two escape ladders provided in the basin, leading from the water. The ladders were positioned so that they will not be obstructed by the boats mooring in the basin. Importantly, the ‘freeboard’ edges of the basin are also maintained at a height of approximately 400mm from the level of the water itself to allow ‘self-rescue’ in circumstances where a person who falls into the water is capable of staying afloat. Life rings are also located at intervals around the basin for persons who need assistance to float, in accordance with national guidance. However, we have reviewed the number and positioning of the existing life rings and propose to place two additional life rings on the side of the basin closest to the hotel, purely as an additional precautionary measure.”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Canal-and-River-Trust
Page 2 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing barriers adequately exclude people from the waterway edge, and the basin’s lighting is considered sufficient for its intended operational use.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Effectiveness of barriers. The level of segregation at Victoria Quays necessarily varies because this is dependant on the activity in the different sections of the canal basin and the land immediately adjacent to the canal. We have reviewed this situation and believe it is appropriate for the intended use of the basin and its surroundings, which remains very much an operational waterway. The chains and barriers have difference purposes: the chains are for demarcation only (and primarily for vehicles at that), and they are not intended to exclude people from accessing the waterway because e.g. boaters are allowed to moor in this area; the barriers are intended to exclude people from the edge of the waterway and appear to do so adequately. We also believe lighting in the canal basin is sufficient and we note it is augmented by the lighting on adjacent land.”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Canal-and-River-Trust
Page 2 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.4

  1. 1

    Continue reviewing risk assessments and national guidance to identify whether further safety measures are required.

    Stated by Canal & River TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 29 March 2016.
  2. 2

    Install additional “Danger deep water” signs around the basin.

    Stated by Canal & River TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 March 2016.
  3. 3

    Install a new CCTV unit on the canal side.

    Stated by Hilton Worldwide Limited currently trading as Hilton SheffieldStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 29 March 2016.
  4. 4

    Display signage at canal-side exits warning of the nearby deep water risk.

    Stated by Hilton Worldwide Limited currently trading as Hilton SheffieldStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 March 2016.

Recipient positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

  1. 1

    Existing safety signage is considered adequate under usual standards and national guidance, despite proposed additional deep-water signs.

    Stated by Canal & River TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Continue reviewing risk assessments and national guidance to identify whether further safety measures are required.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Overall we believe these additional measures will further reduce the risk of further tragedies. We will continue to review our risk assessments and national guidance which should identify if further measures are required, in which case appropriate action will be taken.”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Canal-and-River-Trust
Page 2 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install additional “Danger deep water” signs around the basin.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• We have reviewed the safety signage and whilst we believe it was adequate according to our usual standards and national guidance, we propose placing additional “Danger deep water” signs at locations around the basin because, unlike the canal, which is typically 4-5 feet deep at the edge, the basin is some 10 to 12 feet deep.”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Canal-and-River-Trust
Page 2 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install a new CCTV unit on the canal side.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The area is well lit and a new CCTV unit on the canal side is to be installed in due course;”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Hilton-Hotel
Page 1 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Display signage at canal-side exits warning of the nearby deep water risk.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The Hotel has arranged for signage to be placed at the canal side exits highlighting the risk of deep water nearby;”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Hilton-Hotel
Page 1 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing safety signage is considered adequate under usual standards and national guidance, despite proposed additional deep-water signs.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• We have reviewed the safety signage and whilst we believe it was adequate according to our usual standards and national guidance, we propose placing additional “Danger deep water” signs at locations around the basin because, unlike the canal, which is typically 4-5 feet deep at the edge, the basin is some 10 to 12 feet deep.”

Source location

2016-0132-Response-by-Canal-and-River-Trust
Page 2 · response
Published 29 March 2016

Open published response
Back to top

Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026