FIRE chiefs and local councillors have called for additional safety measures at Bracklinn Falls after an incident in August which left a young woman dead.
Stirling SFRS Area Manager Roddie Keith faced questions from councillors when he revealed that fire crews had been deployed to Bracklinn Falls on four occasions this year.
Outlining the fatal incident, Keith highlighted that “significant resources” were deployed to aid the rescue, including a Water Rescue unit from Stirling and two Rope Rescue units from Loch Katrine and East Kilbride.
The Scottish Ambulance Service, Police Scotland, Coastguard, Mountain Rescue and Air Rescue units were also all in attendance.
Two women needed rescue by emergency crews. Stirling student Eilidh McNab was pronounced dead on the scene.
Councillors and the Fire Service discussed ways to increase safety at the popular tourist spot.
The Fire Service said that Bracklinn Falls has a certain risk associated with it as it is a remote location which attracts frequent visitors.
“Bracklinn Falls is a risk, and we should work as partners to prevent another tragedy; new safety measures are needed,” Keith urged.
Some ideas put forward to increase safety were additional signage in the area and more floatation aids.
Keith also said that “preventative” measures are needed by educating people on the dangers associated with the popular beauty spot.
Councillors raised concerns about the ongoing problem of the theft of floatation aids from the Stirling pontoon, and whether this issue would impact safety at the falls.
One of the most vocal in calling for additional safety was Councillor Evelyn Tweed, whose Trossachs and Teith ward covers Bracklinn Falls.
She questioned where responsibility for implementing safety measures lay.
“Who will take responsibility? Tweed asked. “That’s the important thing.
“Four incidents in the past year: in my mind that’s four too many. Something needs to be done.”
“Going forward, we have to give the public confidence and ensure that they know what the risks are.”
Councillor Tweed ended by stating, “I don’t feel that the public are safe in that area, there are definite and obvious risks.”
Read our tribute to Eilidh McNab here and on page 32 of our 2019 Fresher’s Edition.
Featured Image: The Courier
You must log in to post a comment.