RNLI urges people to 'Respect the Water' in bid to cut down on deaths on Welsh coast

Credit: PA

The RNLI have called for visitors to the seaside to 'Respect the Water' after new figures showed the scale of injuries and even death.

  • 17 people accidentally died around the Welsh coast last year

  • A further 65 people were saved by RNLI crews and lifeguards

  • Over recent years, 73% - that's three quarters of all those who've died, have been men.

So why are the figures so high?

Mike Griffiths reports.

Tom Hewlett is an experienced fisherman who goes out once a week.

At the start of July, he got into trouble on the River Neath, and was rescued by a crew from Port Talbot's lifeboat station.

The lifeboat crew rescuing Tom Hewlett on the River Neath

The RNLI says it's often every day activities that lead to people putting themselves in danger.

They've launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the number of deaths on our coasts in recent years

The 'Respect the Water' campaign setting up in Cardiff Bay
The Port Talbot lifeboat returning to its base

Tom says he's learnt from his experience and is now even volunteering with the crew that saved him.

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