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Paul Betts

Age: 7

Sex: male

Date: 4 Nov 1983

Place: Hackney, London

Paul Betts died at a swimming pool.

It was thought that he might have been either pushed in or had fallen in.

An open verdict was returned at his inquest. 

A police sergeant said:

I would say Paul was either pushed or fell, he would not have gone into the water of his own accord.

An 11-year-old witness said that he thought Paul Betts had got caught under an inflatable spider.

However, an 11-year-old girl said that she saw a coloured teenage boy push Paul Betts in. 

The Coroner noted that there were three versions about what could have happened to Paul Betts, but added that ig he was pushed in, that there was no way of proving criminal intent on the part of the teenage boy. 

Paul Betts was from Lynn and had been in London on holiday.

It was noted that following his death the police put an appeal notice on display calling for witnesses but that Hackney Council covered it over with plastic bags and ordered the police to change the word 'Drowned' to 'Accident'. Upon hearing that the Coroner said:

I find it utterly extraordinary that anyone should carry out action like that. It could easily be construed as obstructing the police.

Followig the inquest Paul Betts's mother said that she was planning to take a petition to the Prime Minister, calling for an increase in poolside safety. She said:

I have decided to get up a petition because, in my opinion, there should have been more lifeguards on duty. This type of accident could happen to another child and I would not wish what I have gone through on my worst enemy.

She said that she had drawn up several points that could help prevent a similar accident occurring, including:

  1. To have at least six lifeguards on duty.
  2. All must have whistles.
  3. All must be at different points.
  4. There should be an observation chair.
  5. No inflatables should be allowed in the water.

She added:

Children should not be afraid of the water so it is wrong to keep them away from it.

see www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

see Lynn Advertiser - Friday 04 November 1983