A Glasgow-based firm has been fined £10,000 following the tragic death of a 12-year-old schoolboy who drowned in the River Tay. The incident occurred on July 28, 2019, during a river boogie boarding session with Outdoor Pursuits Scotland Ltd. The boy, Kayden Walker from Glasgow, became separated from his board and got trapped on the upstream side of a weir. Despite efforts from an instructor to rescue him, the strong water currents made it challenging. Kayden was eventually freed but sadly passed away in hospital the next day.
An investigation revealed that the company’s risk assessment for river boarding lacked adequate health and safety measures. Specifically, there should have been two instructors present—one below and one in a kayak above the weir—until all participants had safely navigated the rapid. The company pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation, leading to the £10,000 fine imposed by Perth Sheriff Court on October 21.
Debbie Carroll, who heads health and safety investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), expressed that Kayden’s death could have been prevented with a proper system in place. She highlighted the importance of managing risks in outdoor and water activities to avoid tragic outcomes. The sentencing should serve as a warning to others in the industry. Carroll extended her sympathies to Kayden’s family and friends during this challenging time.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for stringent safety measures in outdoor recreational activities. It underlines the responsibility that companies have in ensuring the well-being of participants and the severe consequences that can result from lapses in safety protocols. This case should prompt all relevant stakeholders to prioritise comprehensive risk assessments and robust safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
**Summary:**
A Glasgow firm has been fined £10,000 following the tragic death of a 12-year-old schoolboy, Kayden Walker, who drowned in the River Tay during an outdoor activity session. The company’s safety failings led to the incident, highlighting the importance of stringent safety measures in recreational activities to prevent such devastating outcomes. The Crown Office emphasised the need for comprehensive risk assessments and robust safety protocols to avoid future tragedies in the industry.