Family may sue over river death

Paul Brennan fell into the River Wensum on 6 February this year

The family of a student who fell to his death in the River Wensum in Norwich are considering legal action against the city council.

Paul Brennan, 26, from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, died after falling into the water close to the Riverside complex in February.

His family has sought legal advice after a leaked report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents revealed the council had been advised to install barriers along the length of the complex in 2001.

Kevin Brennan, Paul's father, said: "I went down to where my son lost his life and I was staggered by the lack of safety measures.

"I know that my son would not have died if these recommendations had been carried out in full."

Reviewing the risks

In response Norwich City Council said it "takes public safety very seriously" and deeply regretted Mr Brennan's death, but said that the Wensum posed no danger to anglers, river users and walkers.

A spokesman said that after a previous drowning, it had put into place every safety recommendation suggested in a risk assessment.

He added: "This risk assessment was reviewed after Paul Brennan's death and in light of new developments on Riverside.

"Any action as a result of the new risk assessment will be taken up immediately."

A verdict of misadventure was recorded on Paul Brennan's death in March after a hearing was told the University of East Anglia student had been drinking with an old school friend.

At the hearing, coroner William Armstrong said three people had died in the river in as many years, and recommended the installation of safety barriers at the riverside.