I see the daily diary over at the wonderful Chasewater Wildlife Group site records for Tuesday (6th April 2010) that…
“…A man was seen to be tempting fate by walking in the north shore silt and had a panic when he sank to his knees.”
Further, the next day (7th April 2010), the log states that…
“Amazingly, the deep layers of silt are still attracting the attentions of the foolhardy with tonight’s episode involving 2 young horse riders and their adult leader. I first noticed the incident when 2 of the horses were up to their necks in the Fly Bay silt. The emergency services had already been notified but obviously imprecise directions resulted in three police cars and 2 fire appliances arriving at the rather distant Chasewater Heaths Station rather than the Sailing Club, whilst the Police Helicopter hovered overhead. By this time the horses had been coaxed out of their dangerous predicament and hopefully lessons have been learnt. The valve has now been re-opened and there will be ever increasing dangers in the deep layers of silt as the water levels fall.”
I sometimes wonder how, with such clearly limited common sense, it is that these people are able to get dressed in the morning. It really does beggar belief.
I myself have seen people who really should know better rooting around the mud, particularly around the pier and north shore. I can understand the fascination, but please have some thought for your safety and that of the people of the emergency services who may have to come and bail you out.
For the latest info about Chasewater and the Dam work, check out the official Chasewater Dam Blog, maintained wonderfully by Lichfield Council staffer Lizzie Thatcher (often in the face of some regrettable unpleasantness), and always keep an eye on The Chasewater Wildlife Group’s site, it really is a treasury.
The mud, whilst fascinating, can easily be deadly. Keep well away.