Drownings at beach where seven died this summer blamed on victims’ ‘non-swimming culture’
All those who drowned were described by family members as capable swimmers
DROWNINGS at a beach where seven men died this summer have reportedly been blamed on the victims' 'non-swimming culture' by the council that failed to provide lifeguards.
The men died after going swimming at Camber Sands beach in East Sussex this summer.
One was of Asian heritage, one Brazilian and five of Tamil origin living in greater London.
An incident log written by a Rother District Council official and seen by reportedly reads: “We are again faced with incidents of non-swimming persons of a certain culture that enter the water in great numbers with deadly results.
"The combination of a beach as shallow as Camber attracting predominantly non-British visitors has been an increasing issue over the last 10 years and the risks that these people create upon their lack of ability in being tempted in to such a shallow bay are becoming unsustainable and unfair for us to deal with or carry the burden of responding to.”
Family members of the victims, all of who were described as capable swimmers, had hit out at the lack of lifeguards.
related stories
Uthayamalar Srithavarajah, whose 27-year-old son Gurushanth was among the dead, told The Guardian: “The job of the council is to protect people, not to judge them on appearance.”
Friends Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan, Nitharsan Ravi, Gurushanth Srithavarajah, Kenugen Saththiyanathan, and Inthushan Sriskantharasa,were on a day trip to the beach when they drowned August 24.
Gustavo Cruz and Mohit Dupar, died on 24 July - Mohit had been trying to save Gustavo.
There were no lifeguard at Camber Sands beach, which can see up to 25,000 visitors on sunny days.
In August home secretary Amber Rudd faced a huge backlash after it emerged she was urged to put lifeguards on Camber Sands to prevent more deaths a month before five of the victims were killed.
In November East Sussex coroner Alan Craze called for Baywatch-style lifeguard towers at Camber Sands after this summer’s tragedies.
A Rother district council spokesman said: “We continue to look closely at all options for Camber beach and are in discussion with relevant partners.
“Money has been earmarked in the 2017-18 budget to ensure funding is available to implement the agreed option.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368