A DROWNING prevention charity is warning people to take extra care near Bath’s waterways after enjoying a night out on the town as part of its Don’t Drink and Drown campaign.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the drowning prevention charity started the campaign a week after 19-year-old Henry Burke, a student at Bath Spa University, drowned in the River Avon in Bath, Somerset. 

Henry was last seen leaving Zero Zero nightclub in Bath last Thursday (November 24) and his body was recovered from the River Avon on Saturday. 

RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign runs from 5 – 11 December and warns drinkers to act responsibly near water after they have been drinking and to make sure they and their friends avoid walking home near bodies of water. 

Last year 20 per cent of all adult accidental drowning victims in the UK had alcohol in their bloodstream.

Over the previous three years (2012-14) on average 38 per cent of 18 to 21-year-old accidental drowning victims had alcohol in their bloodstream in the UK.

In 2015 this increased to 67 per cent. 

Since 2012 there have been nine accidental drownings in Bath and North East Somerset which have all been male. 78 per cent of drownings in the area were in the River Avon.

All drownings within the area that were found to have alcohol within their bloodstream were all between the ages of 18 and 21-years-old*. 

In 2014 half of all drowning victims had alcohol within their bloodstream.

Drowning victims include Christopher Taylor, 21, died in 2014 and previously, students Sammuel Amin, 18 and James Bubear, 19, both drowned in the river.  

RLSS UK’s Chief Executive Di Steer said: “Any drowning is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the families and friends of Henry Burke at this difficult time.

“People die each year after entering the water with alcohol in their bloodstream, either deliberately or completely by accident. Drinking near water can be a dangerous and deadly cocktail. Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to survive in water.

“When walking home from a night out, avoid routes that are alongside water, particularly in the darkness, and always stay with and look out for your friends.”

“We want everyone to have a great time this Christmas and our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign gives essential advice to party-goers to make sure they know how to stay safe when they’re out celebrating.”

Stay Safe this Christmas:
•    Don’t walk home near water, you might fall in
•    Look out for your friends, make sure they get home safely
•    Don’t enter the water if you have been drinking
•    Alcohol seriously affects your ability to get yourself out of trouble

For more information on RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign visit http://www.rlss.org.uk, tweet them at @RLSSUK with the hashtag #DontDrinkandDrown or call them on 0300 323 0096