Warning About Frozen Waters

13th January 2010

Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group and British Waterways Scotland warn people about frozen stretches of water. Police and partner agencies are again warning people about the dangers which exist around frozen stretches of water, as the big freeze continues.

Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating group partners at Northern Constabulary and Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service have teamed up with British Waterways Scotland to issue the warning following reports of people driving vehicles across frozen lochs.

One incident which was reported to Police in Caithness this week involved a quad type vehicle which had been driven onto a loch. The worrying aspect of this incident that there was open water just 50 yards from where the tyres marks appeared on the ice.

Area Commander for Caithness and Sutherland, Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss, said: "The consequences of going through the ice don't bear thinking about and we would urge people to exercise extreme caution.

"The incident reported yesterday was particularly worrying given the close proximity to the open water. This type of activity not only puts people's lives in real danger, but also the lives of their would be rescuers."

He added: "Despite the Arctic conditions we have experienced throughout the Highlands and Islands there is no way of accurately gauging the thickness of the ice.

"We are working with our HISCG partners at Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service and British Waterways Scotland to highlight the dangers which exist at this time of year."

A spokesman for British Waterways Scotland said: "British Waterways Scotland urges visitors to the Scottish canals including the Caledonian Canal not to walk on frozen water under any circumstances no matter how tempting this may be."

The organisation also advises everyone to stay SAFE and Stay Away From the Edge, which can be particularly slippery during severe weather such as this and where snow can conceal trip hazards such as boat mooring rings close to the canal edge.

In considering these severe risks, Scotland's Fire Chiefs have said they will not put crews at risk rescuing pets that get into trouble on frozen waterways during the current cold weather. The Fire Chiefs issued the warning following a number of incidents involving animals falling through ice.

Pet-owners have been urged to keep their dogs on leashes and stay away from the edge of icy water.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service Temporary Deputy Chief Fire Officer Trevor Johnson said: "We are urging adults and children not to venture onto frozen rivers, streams and lakes.

"The risk of persons or animals falling through ice will greatly increase as the weather improves and thawing of all waterways takes place. Under no circumstances will the lives of any fire crew be placed at risk in order to rescue an animal, however distressing this may be to the owner.

"The Fire and Rescue Services cannot overemphasise the dangers associated with frozen lochs, ponds and other open water and ask members of the public to keep themselves and their pets safe, particularly during this prolonged spell of cold weather."

The Highland Council has supported this warning by asking Head Teachers to draw the hazards of ice to the attention of all highland pupils in its 220 schools.

For more information about planning a safe visit to the waterways, visit Wild Over Waterways (www.wow4water.net)