The family of a Walsall mum whose death 'brought Walsall to a standstill' has called for action. Thirty-eight-year-old Jody Brown was pulled from the canal basin in Walsall town centre in the early hours of May 3.
Jody's brother, Paul Clarke, has demanded that barriers be installed around the canal as a matter of urgency. The 42-year-old said CCTV footage showed her walking along the edge of the canal before she fell in. Paul can see part of the canal basin from the window of his home, and said people fall in the water 'all the time'.
He has now launched a petition calling for the safety measures to bring his family 'peace of mind'. So far it has gained over 200 signatures. Paul said: 'So many people have fell in there, and cars have driven into it too. They need lighting around there as well. The barriers would prevent other families going through the same trauma we have. It needs to happen fast to prevent it from happening to anyone else.'
Paul said his little sister was 'outgoing and loved by everyone'. Jody leaves behind five children aged between nine and 21, and a one-year-old grandchild. Paul added: 'Jody's death brought Walsall to a standstill. She was very well known. Everybody loved her. She was a good mum and had a grandchild, she absolutely loved that babby.'
The Canal and River Trust offered its condolences to Jody's family following the 'tragic accident'. A spokesperson said that adding fencing to the canal's edge is not a 'straightforward solution'. The spokesperson said: 'We are distressed by this tragic accident and offer our sincere condolences to Jody's family and friends. Our charity will be carrying out an internal enquiry to understand what can be learned, and we will support the coroner in every way we can as the circumstances surrounding Jody's death are investigated. Although fencing off the waterfront may appear to be a straightforward solution, in practice it is more complex. Safe access to and from the water must be maintained for boaters and others who need to enter the water, and it is also essential to ensure that rescue can be carried out quickly and safely if anyone finds themselves in difficulty. This will be reviewed as part of our investigation. Our charity does not own the land around the basin, so decisions about fencing are not directly within our gift. However, we are committed to working in partnership and have already contacted the local council. In recent years, to help improve safety, we have installed a throw line and provided additional throw lines to the businesses around the basin. We have also upgraded the basin's signage and run water-safety events with support from the fire brigade.'
A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: 'We are saddened by this tragic accident and offer our condolences to the family and friends of Jody at this difficult time. We understand that the Canal & River Trust, which is responsible for the canal network, is carrying out an internal enquiry. We will continue to work with them to understand the circumstances and consider any appropriate measures. Open water safety is managed through a combination of design, signage, safety equipment and targeted interventions where risks are identified. Canals, rivers and other open water spaces are designed and managed to be accessible for navigation, recreation and public use and, as such, are not typically enclosed by continuous fencing. Any loss of life is deeply distressing, and we will continue to work in partnership with relevant organisations to ensure that appropriate safety measures are considered and kept under review.'
