Evan Geoffrey d'Andilly, 19, drowned in the River Ouse in York after a night out with friends on March 5 last year. An inquest heard he stayed afloat for 20 minutes while shouting for help that did not arrive in time.
Evan, from Scunthorpe, entered the river from Ouse Bridge at around 3.03am. Police arrived within two to three minutes and an officer threw a life ring, but it did not reach him in the middle of the 41-metre-wide river. CCTV footage showed him calling for help in the freezing water as a police officer reassured him.
Evan disappeared beneath the surface before a rescue boat arrived. He died four days before his 20th birthday.
Rescue delays and equipment concerns
Fire crews were notified at 3.09am, with appliances arriving by 3.14am and 3.18am. However, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's boat was stationed in Selby and did not arrive until 3.37am, 14 minutes after the last sighting of Evan.
The volunteer-run York Rescue Boat, moored at King’s Staith nearby, was not called immediately. Evan’s mother, Lorraine d'Andilly, said the available rescue equipment—18-metre reach poles and 20-metre throw lines—was unsuitable, meaning “Evan lost a substantial chance of survival.”
In police bodycam footage, PC Grace Sylvester, who shouted advice to Evan, said: “It’s a city river. Why is it taking this long [for the rescue boat to arrive]?” Asked if the equipment was fit for purpose, she said: “On occasions it’s worked. On occasions it hasn’t worked.”
Fire service response questioned
Sergeant Daniel Stubbs, acting police inspector that night, said both York Rescue Boat and the fire service’s boat were requested. He was unaware the fire service’s boat was not based in York. The inquest heard the fire service relies on York Rescue Boat for water rescues in York, as its nearest boats are in Selby and Malton.
Ms d'Andilly questioned why York Rescue Boat was not alerted immediately. She said her son “fought for another 10 minutes” to stay afloat. “He did everything he could to survive,” she said, adding: “I will never understand how a safety protocol can be so flawed.”
Ben Illsley, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s director of operational support and assurance, told the inquest there are “no plans” to move the rescue boat from Selby to York in the next four years. He said moving it would take one to two years to train staff.
Evan’s mother described him as “kind” with a “gentle nature” and called his death “incredibly senseless.” She said: “I still struggle to believe that Evan is gone from this world.” His father, Gordon d'Andilly, said Evan was “full of life” and “got on with everyone.”
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “The death of Evan d'Andilly is tragic and our thoughts remain with his family and friends. North Yorkshire Police will fully support the inquest, and we will await the conclusion before commenting further.” The inquest continues.
