Police were called to reports of a body in the Grand Union canal in Hayes early on Sunday 15th September 2019. The discovery was made just as the canal festival, held by the Canal and River Trust was due to begin.
The Metropolitan Police issued a brief statement:
“Police were called at 08:20hrs on Sunday 15 September to the Grand Union canal in Station Road, Hayes. The London Fire Brigade also attended.
The body of a man was recovered and the next of kin are in the process of being informed. At this early stage, the death is being treated as unexplained. Enquiries continue”
As crowds of disappointed festival attendees where turned away, we spoke to Ros Daniels (Director, London and South East Region of the Canal and River Trust) who said: “Staff were on the scene when the discovery was made and we are doing everything we can to assist emergency services. Sadly this has meant the cancellation of this year’s Canal and River Festival in Hayes. We do however plan to schedule the event again for next year.”
A Statement from the Canal and River Trust:
“Emergency services have sadly recovered a body from the Grand Union Canal in Hayes. Our thoughts are with his family. We would urge anyone coming down to the canalside to stay safe and stay out of the water, as there are risks that can’t always be seen from the surface. It’s understandable that people gravitate to the waterways as they are fantastic places to relax, but the dangers of open water are tragically real.”
The water safety messages from the Canal and River Trust can be found here:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/safety-on-our-waterways/summer-water-safety
