Sad news - Frome accident

[Mark R]

Received from a forum member:

Yesterday morning I received news that a close friend and paddler, Iain woodcock (AKA Splinter) had been killed while paddling on the Frome on Wednesday night.
Details are not clear in what happened or if anyone else was involved. I have not seen anything in the press about the incident.

Iain had only been paddling for about 2 years but it had become his life. He was well known in the Bristol area and helped coach in his local club.

My thoughts are with Iain's wife and 6 month old daughter who are being supported by family and close friends.

I waited to post this until after the news was posted by his wife on his facebook page.

[swimjimi]

Splinter was one of those personalities that makes boating special. He lit up the room. Everything he got from kayaking he did his best to give back, both to his club and to the wider community. A combination of this and his infectious enthusiasm and charm made him a well connected and liked person in the south west. He had a big impact on the people, the number of different people who would tell how much the thought of him spontaneously on the shuttle or whilst he was at the front of the group- I think we were all in awe of his attitude to life.

He was very much someone to admire and will be missed.

[andy g]

Mark
Thanks very much for letting us all know.
I had a couple of conversations about a month ago when he wanted a replacement paddler to join his group for a 4* River Leadership course run by Gene 17. Although someone beat me to it in the end , Iain was incredibly good about it , and wanted to ensure that I did not feel left out.
I started appreciate those qualities that swinjimi has outlined above, and can only agree 100% with them.
This is desperately sad and my thoughts go out to his family, and friends who will be feeling his loss a lot more than I.

Andy

[thetangoman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-16213242

Sad news. Thoughts with his family and friends.

[Simon Westgarth]

I meet Iain for the first time, this Autumn, he was a great chap, part of the Bristol scene, organising weekends away and training courses, plus bridging the gap between the local clubs in the area, get out and paddle. It is very sad indeed to read that he died on the river.

[Mikers]

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Canoeist ... story.html

Sad news whenever someone loses their life pursuing the sport they love. My condolences to Iain's family and friends.

If anyone has any further details, please post them (provided they can do so without assigning blame). I led a trip on this river a month ago.
Without wishing to offend anyone, if there are lessons to be learned, or if this tragic case can be used to highlight the dangers and safe practices of paddling on fluffy rivers we should embrace the opportunity.

[Performance Kayaks]

Iain was more than a customer, he was also a friend. He had such an enthusiasm for the sport he had recently come in to that his first boat was quickly replaced as was much of his kit, as his abilities were growing so quickly.

Iain was also a local Motorcycle Instructor and such was his enthusiasm for paddling that on many of his sessions, he would force his clients off their bikes and into the shop just to see 'If there was anything new'! I will miss Iain and his infectious passion for the sport.

Our thoughts are with his family and also with friends that were out with him at the time. We will miss you.

[jmmoxon]

This was the Bristol Frome (north side of the city) http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/inde ... Itemid=116

not the Somerset Frome http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/inde ... Itemid=116

Mike

[Uisce]

Awfully sad. My condolences to Iain's family and friends

[adamski2357]

RIP Iain... top bloke who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

[NRB]

Very sad news, didn't know the concerned but very, very sad. Thoughts with friends and family.

Nath

[mharrall]

This was the Bristol Frome (north side of the city) http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/inde ... Itemid=116

not the Somerset Frome http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/inde ... Itemid=116

Mike

Mike,

It was the Bristol one.

My condolences to all involved.

[tizereyes]

Very sad news. My condolences to his family.

[505yak]

I knew Iain as a fellow member of Bath Canoe Club. A natural coach and leader. He lived life 110% and encouraged all those around him to do the same. He not only made people feel valued and important, but actually believed each one was. His funeral was evidence of this - not just standing room only - but people standing outside in the rain to pay their respects. Iain's family were supported by members of Bath Canoe Club, Globe 360, North Avon Canoe Club, and the scouts Iain had coached as well as a cavalcade of around 130 motorcyclists from Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists - his other love. Typical of Iain we understand he got into difficulties after going back upstream to alert his fellow paddlers to a hazard. Sadly missed.

[Mark R]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17817304#

[Dwarf]

A fairly detailed article here - http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Kayaker-died-8216-cauldron-8217-water/story-15900352-detail/story.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

RIP Iain.

[mharrall]

More here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ds-newsxml