Holidaymaker Dies in Boating Accident
- Callum Bell, 58, tragically died after falling into the water while boarding a boat on the Norfolk Broads.
- The incident occurred when he slipped and was swept away by a strong current with no safety railings on the rented boat.
- The family's holiday turned into a devastating event as they witnessed the sudden loss of their loved one.
Callum Bell, 58, tragically drowned while on a family holiday in the Norfolk Broads, marking the fourth water-related death in the area within just four days. Bell was attempting to board a 44ft vessel with his partner, Diane Simmonds, when he lost his footing and fell into the River Bure. Despite wearing safety jackets while traveling on the boat, he was not wearing one at the time of the accident. Simmonds criticized the lack of safety railings on the boat, highlighting the need for better precautions in popular tourist areas. Emergency services were alerted after Bell fell, but by the time his family reached the scene, he had already been swept away. A spokesperson for Norfolk Police confirmed that Bell was recovered from the water but could not be revived. This incident follows a series of drownings in the region, raising alarms about water safety during the busy holiday season. The first confirmed drowning occurred on Saturday at Brancaster beach, where a man in his 70s was seen struggling in the sea. Another man in his 20s went missing late Friday night after entering the water, and a third body was discovered in the River Wensum on Tuesday after a swimmer failed to resurface. Brendon Prince, founder of the charity Above Water, expressed concern over the rising number of drownings this summer, attributing it partly to the Covid generation's lack of swimming lessons. He emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures to prevent further tragedies.