OAP tells of drowning fears after falling into hidden pool near Swansea beach
A PENSIONER says he almost drowned after falling into a pool of water and vegetation close to Swansea beach.
Retired civil servant John Williams, his wife Barbara and their dog Blitz were walking back to their car after a walk on the beach when the incident happened.
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John Williams and his dog Blitz pictured near to the spot on Swansea Bay where he fell into water
The 73-year-old followed what appeared to be a path beaten through the undergrowth in response to what he described as a call from nature.
Mr Williams said he lost his footing and fell through what appeared to be vegetation floating on top of water.
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He said: "I dropped through the surface matting, finished up face down in the water and other stuff.
"Blitz joined me.
"The water was maybe two feet, maybe three feet deep, my memory is vague.
"I managed to get my head above the water, saw Blitz dog paddling beside me.
"I was touching the bottom, but I couldn't stand up, probably an age thing, without something to hang onto. Everything I grabbed just came away in my hand.
"Looking back, I realise I was disorientated, confused, and floundering.
"Eventually, I crawled through the floating debris and managed to stand up.
"By this time Blitz appeared to have given up, he had stopped dog-paddling, and was just floating in the water, with his chin resting on the floating vegetation.
"I reckon we were in the water for minutes rather than seconds.
"I dragged Blitz towards me and struggled back onto Terra Firma, just as my wife appeared, coming back to find out what was keeping me.
"I believe I could easily have drowned.
"I believe that a child would very probably have drowned, and possibly disappeared beneath the floating vegetation.
"And this was the sort of place kids would love to explore while their parents picnic only a few yards away."
Mr Williams returned to his car and found his remote key fob no longer worked.
He added: "Luckily my wife had her keys, including the second fob for my car, with her."
A Swansea Council spokesman said: "It's only natural that the recent wet and windy weather will have had an impact on sandy areas of woodland so close to the coast.
"We will arrange for a member of our staff to visit the spot where this unfortunate accident happened to see if anything can be done, but we'd also urge members of the public to stick to the footpaths we have in the area."
Comments
by HaroldMonk
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 7:25PM
“Had this man been drinking?”
by Dan01
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 11:13AM
“To be fair I suspect the guy only wanted to draw attention to the potential risk, to children in particular, rather than draw attention to himself. Its the EP that dramatises stuff, I'stopped buying it about two years but have a quick glance through the website where very occasionally I will find something of interest. I wonder how many other evening papers are delivered before 7 a.m.”
by maxmin
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 7:37AM
“GSVale, Good grief man how did you survive? I've booked you in for 30 years of counselling and large wodges of compensation!”
by GSVale
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 12:49AM
“Close the beach, fence off the entire area immediately, put huge signs up everywhere it really is too dangerous to go out the door these days. Only this morning I went out, to put the rubbish out and I nearly dropped the bag on my foot, then after harrowingly escaping that potential disaster it started raining and i got a little wet. Where were the council? where were the warning signs? This is just not good enough.”
by geoboy01
Monday, October 29 2012, 8:01PM
“or so im told hehe!!!”
by hobbles
Monday, October 29 2012, 5:11PM
“DRAMA QUEEN!”
by GorsseinonJoe
Monday, October 29 2012, 12:24PM
“If this is the area near the footbridge close to the Blackpill Lido and childrens play area, why could he not have walked the 150 yards to the public conveniences that are available close by?”
by andybeacham
Monday, October 29 2012, 10:38AM
“48p a day for this kind of story? I don't think so.”
by maxmin
Monday, October 29 2012, 10:09AM
“A man fell into a large puddle? Are we really that hard up for news?”
by Dan01
Monday, October 29 2012, 9:40AM
“"we'd also urge members of the public to stick to the footpaths we have in the area."
Precisely. And especially at 73 years old I'd say. But most dangers are unforeseen, always expect the unexpected, something one learns as one grows older. Granted this could have been a risk for children, but now that the danger is alerted no doubt something will be done about it. But there will be plenty more like it around, anywhere and everywhere!”