Man lost life canoeing over dangerous weir

His 14-year-old son watched from another canoe as his father got into difficulties at the treacherous Carnroe Weir just outside Coleraine. Despite frantic efforts by other members of the party they were unable to save the man's life.

An inquest at Coleraine on Monday found that 47-year-old Stephen George Chapman, from Forest Park, drowned when he was trapped in a back wash below the weir at Carnroe on the River Bann on Sunday, December 13 last year.

There was silence in the courtroom as Stephen's widow, Lesley Chapman, told the hearing that when she last saw her husband, just before he left for his ill-fated trip, he remarked how beautiful the day was. "He was in good form, going to enjoy a day out", she said.

Stephen had been canoeing for about ten years at the time of the incident, taking up the sport when he moved to work at the University of Ulster in Coleraine. The couple's son, Duncan, was on the trip with his father, along with three other members of the Causeway Coast Kayak Association.

A witness to the incident, Dr Martin McClenahan, watched from his own canoe as Stephen came over the weir and got into difficulties.

He told the hearing that the party of five had travelled along the Bann from Portna to Carnroe, where they stopped for a picnic lunch.

It was about 12.30pm when Stephen, the most experienced of the group, decided that he wanted to take his open-hulled Canadian canoe over the weir.

Dr McClenahan and the other members of the party carried their canoes past the weir and he took up a safety position on the river about 30 metres below the weir.

A few minutes later he had to look on as Stephen successfully came across the weir but then got caught in the backwash.

"Stephen wasn't able to propel his canoe fast enough to escape the backflow", he said. "His canoe was pushed back towards the wall and by the third splash the canoe had enough water in it to capsize. I saw him briefly in the water before he disappeared."

After a few minutes Dr McClenahan helped recover Stephen's body to the shore. He gave him CPR for about 40 minutes until the ambulance arrived. They were unable to resuscitate Stephen.

Another member of the party, Martin Swain, was travelling with Heather Parr in a double canoe.

They saw Stephen's body below the surface and got hold of him, half getting him into their canoe.

As they tried to get Stephen to the shore their own canoe capsized and they were left to swim to shore as Dr McClenahan pulled Stephen to the bank.

Martin Swain said that Stephen did not appear to have any concerns about going over the weir but may not have been aware of the under pull. He was concerned that he may capsize and that was why he had another canoe below the weir, in case he needed help.

The evidence of Heather Parr indicated that Stephen had been paddling furiously as he tried to escape the force of the river below the weir.

Robin Ruddock, a founder member of the Kayak Association, told the hearing that he had investigated the circumstances of the incident.

The court heard that Stephen was experienced and well trained to lead family canoe trips and that on the day of the incident he had made a conscious decision to go over the weir.

Mr Ruddock told the coroner that Stephen had earlier in the trip shot Movanagher Weir, allowing his son and Dr McClenahan to do so as well. The other crew went round the weir.

In the opinion of Mr Ruddock this was a manoeuvre that should not have been attempted but on the day it had been a safe and successful operation.

He went on to say that Carnroe Weir was not normally canoed.

He said it was a vertical weir and that it was difficult to escape from the base of it. Water constantly re-circulated from the front and from the sides.

He described how the only way to escape was to take of the lifejacket and go to the floor of the river. He doubted that Stephen would have had the experience or knowledge to do this successfully

Commenting on the Association findings, he said: "It is our reading that because of the shorter drop it looked safe. Stephen thought he could shoot the weir safely and come out but the current dragged him back.

I don't believe anyone could have got out of that back tow.

"None of our coaches would negotiate Carnroe Weir now, out of respect for Stephen, never mind the danger."

Sean McCarry, from the Community Rescue Service, had a warning for anyone thinking of using the River Bann or any waterway. "The water may appear inviting but there is always danger. You may be tempted to take a chance, especially in this warm weather, but if you think you might take a chance, think again and don't do it."

Coroner Suzanne Anderson found that death was due to freshwater drowning. She said that the family may be able to take some comfort from the fact that Stephen died as he was doing something he loved.