THE PUBLIC are being urged to keep away from the sea this winter – a year after a dog walker drowned.
Brighton and Hove City Council are encouraging residents and visitors to “stay safe” when walking on the beach amid rough conditions.
The plea comes a year after Gareth Jones, 69, drowned while walking his dog Connie near Hove Lagoon. Police recovered his body from the water’s edge at Tide Mills, near Newhaven, on January 19.
The brown cockapoo was also found dead on Brighton beach.
At an inquest into Gareth’s death, CCTV footage showed Gareth going into the sea after Connie.
Senior coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley said high tide on the day of the incident was 6.2 metres.
Council seafront operations manager Chris Ingall said adverse weather can cause dangerous sea conditions in Brighton and Hove.
“Everyone enjoys a bracing stroll on the promenade over the festive season, but we would urge people to stay on the path or high up on the beach, especially when the sea conditions are rough,” he said.
“Keep little ones close and hold their hands at all times when walking on the beaches. Large waves can easily knock people over, pulling them into the sea - the smaller the person the greater the risk.
“Dog owners are also urged to keep their pets on leads and away from the sea. The warning follows the tragic death of a residents and his beloved dog in January.”
The coroner concluded Gareth's death was an accident and gave his cause of death as drowning in sea water.
The father of three was a self-employed management consultant who had previously worked as a lecturer at universities in several countries, as well as head of HR at the BBC.
Following his death, Gareth's local pub, the Watchmaker's Arms in Hove, added a new beer on tap.
His son Robbie said: "We just want to say what a remarkable man our dad was.
"My sisters Rhian and Gemma both say we are all going to be more like Gareth - which means taking opportunities, drinking lots of beer and just being kind to one another, and to always back the underdog."
Chris said the beach in Brighton and Hove has more “hidden dangers” compared to other south coast beaches.
“Unlike many other beaches, where you can gradually enter the water, Brighton and Hove beach has a steep shingle slope making it difficult to leave and enter the water especially during the four hours over the high tide period,” he said.
“The combination of strong winds and steep shingle banks increases the risk of being swept out to sea. Check the conditions on the day and consider all those in the group, the sea will be there tomorrow, don’t take unnecessary risks, that could threaten your life or others trying to help.”
He said the council has also seen a rise in the number of people taking part in open water winter swimming sessions.
“It's extremely important that those wishing to enjoy this invigorating and extreme form of free and healthy activity, fully understand the real dangers involved,” he said.
“Cold water sea swimming takes skill, stamina and knowledge of the physical dangers and should only be for the very experienced, using suitable wetsuits, in very calm conditions and with friends.
"Even on a calm day, sea currents, unpredictable waves or a sudden change in weather can create life threatening hazards without warning. Even experienced swimmers can get caught out.”
Chris also urged those wishing to enter the water for any reason to talk to the council seafront team first.
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