A coroner has issued a stark warning to thrill-seekers who jump from bridges into the River Tawe in Swansea, following the death of a 20-year-old man. Philip Rogers, the Swansea and Gower Coroner, urged people to stop the dangerous practice after recording a verdict of accidental death on Patrick McDonagh, from Gorseinon.
Mr McDonagh drowned during last August's heatwave after attempting to save his 16-year-old sister Barbara, who got into difficulties after diving off a bridge into the river. An inquest heard that a major search involving a police helicopter was launched after Mr McDonagh disappeared under the surface. His sister was rescued by another brother, Michael, but Mr McDonagh's body was found hours later lying face down on a river bank.
The inquest heard that Mr McDonagh and his brother Michael had taken turns to leap 20 feet from White Rock Bridge into the River Tawe on August 7 last year. They were followed by their teenage sister Barbara, who began shouting for help. Their sister Ellie McDonagh recounted, 'She was shouting 'Help me, Paddy, help me'.' Barbara went under the water but rose again to shout for help before Michael managed to get her to the river bank. Patrick, however, disappeared from view.
Singleton Hospital pathologist Nasima Toffazal confirmed that the cause of death was drowning. Tests showed Mr McDonagh's body contained two and a half times the legal limit of alcohol for driving. Mr Rogers stated, 'It is clearly unsafe to jump into the River Tawe from bridges along its length.'
During hot weather, young people are regularly seen leaping into the River Tawe from both White Rock Bridge and the new Sail Bridge, which links Swansea Marina with the SA1 development. Police and council officials issued repeated warnings last summer, and new signs highlighting the dangers of jumping into the river were placed throughout the area.
