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Mum puts up river safety signs after son drowns

Clare Worden & Andrew Turner
BBC News
Andrew Turner/BBC Claire Wadham stands next to the safety sign with a picture of her son Cory Chilvers who drowned in water at the site of the sign in July 2024. Andrew Turner/BBC
Claire Wadham hopes the signs make young people think twice about entering the water

Warning signs and buoyancy aids have been installed near a waterway by a trust set up by the mother of a teenager who drowned in the area.

Cory Chilvers, from Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, died after his kayak capsized in the Middle Level Main Drain at Wiggenhall St Germans in July last year.

Cory's mother, Clare Wadham, later established Norfolk Water Safety Trust in her 18 year-old son's memory.

Ms Wadham said the trust wanted to have an image of Cory on the warning signs to emphasise how dangerous the water can be.

Claire Wadham Orange life ring with Norfolk Water Safety Trust written above it and a picture of Cory Chilvers. Against a red background the advice is "no unauthorised entry" and "no swimming"Claire Wadham
The new life rings were installed alongside a picture of Cory, who drowned in July after his kayak capsized

An inquest in January into Cory's death found it was accidental.

Ms Wadham said: "Young children and teenagers come [to the area] all the time and think that they are indestructible.

"So did Cory. He thought he was coming for a nice day out on his kayak and my boy never came home.

"If there had been warning signs here, or a life aid the outcome would have been significantly different."

Ms Wadham wants to install signs on private land across the county to try and stop people from entering bodies of water when the weather is warm.

Two more warning signs have been purchased and fundraising efforts continue for more to be installed.

Ms Wadham said she had spoken to Cory just before he drowned.

"He called me and asked me to come and watch him. He was so excited saying 'Mum! Mum! Come and watch me in the kayak' like the big kid he was.

"Nine minutes later I got the call to say he had gone under the water and he didn't come back up."

Norfolk Police Image of Cory Chilvers sitting with his arms around a black Labrador dog. He has light brown hair and is wearing a grey T-shirt. He has a silver chain around his neck. Norfolk Police
Cory Chilvers was described by his family as "kind, loving, funny and thoughtful"

Terry Pinto, the group manager for prevention at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with Cory's loved ones.

"We want people to enjoy the water in Norfolk this spring and summer, but we want them to stay safe.

"If you see someone in difficulty in the water – dial 999. Please don't be tempted to go in after them.

"If you get into difficulty in the water yourself – float to live.

"Lie back in a star position with your arms and legs out, submerge your ears in the water and regain control of your breathing."

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