Shropshire Star

Father and daughter canoe trip tragedy on the River Teme

A canoeist killed after getting into difficulties while paddling with his daughter on the River Teme died as a result of an accident, a coroner has ruled.

Published

Steve Wall, from Elton near Ludlow, was canoeing near Forge Bridge at Downton-on-the-Rock near the south Shropshire border when the accident occurred at Bringwood weir shortly after 9.30am on January 5.

His daughter Amy, who was in her own canoe, screamed for help but could only watch as the 48-year-old was dragged under.

A passer-by raised the alarm and the emergency services were called.

At an inquest at Hereford Town Hall last week, Mr Roland Wooderson, deputy coroner for Herefordshire, ruled that Mr Wall had died as a result of freshwater drowning and recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He told the family he had watched footage of the accident, captured on Amy's helmet camera, and said: "In my judgement it seems Miss Wall did everything in her power to assist her father."

Despite the best attempts of crews manning fire service rescue boats, the Midlands Air Ambulance and members of West Midlands Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team, nothing could be done to save Mr Wall.

He was pronounced dead at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital about an hour after the incident.

At the time of the incident tributes were paid to Mr Wall by members of Wyre Forest Canoe Club, of which he and Amy were members.

The accident came just a day after fellow club member Dave Smith died in a canoeing accident in Cornwall.

In a message posted shortly after the incident on Wyre Forest Canoe Club's message board, member Dan Gale said: "Again shocked news that in less than 24 hours we have lost another great friend and all round nice guy. RIP Steve."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.