Girlfriend of tragic Radek Gina, 20, asks 'why more wasn't done' by Bawsey Country Park staff at inquest

The first day of the inquest into the death of 20-year-old labourer Radomir Gina of Wisbech was held today at Norwich.

Radomir, also known as Radek and Rad by friends, drowned in June last year at Bawsey Country Park on Gayton Road near Lynn.

The beauty spot and former quarry has been the site of four tragic deaths in the last decade, raising concerns about safety at the site.

In August 2020, Kristers Bednarskis, from Peterborough, drowned while celebrating his 22nd birthday with friends at the popular sunbathing location.

A 16-year-old boy from east London and a 41-year-old man also drowned at the pits in 2013.

Mr Gina's girlfriend, Maddy Goode, who was present at the time of his death, said in her statement that staff 'could have done more' to save her boyfriend.

The pair had started dating around Valentines day 2021.

Miss Goode said: "We had planned to go there as it was a hot day and Rad picked me up after work. When we got there he met with his best friend Connor Brazil and his girlfriend.

"The pair decided to swim in the lake, there was about 100 people in the water at the time. They were in the water for about 15-20 minutes and I didn't notice that Rad was in trouble.

"Then I saw someone lying down in shorts and asked 'is it Radek?' and paddled over on a lilo.

"It was Rad and we started CPR, paramedics took over when they arrived, as far as I knew he was healthy and could swim.

"I didn't see what the wardens were doing, more could have been done by staff, such as putting mud on the banks to stop people going in the water. There were no visible staff at the lake, just the entrance, it was local people who helped pull Radek from the water - not the staff."

"Rad was a kind, gentle man who would do anything for anyone."

Bawsey Country Park warden Paul Garrod has worked at Bawsey since 2020 and has received training in first aid and throw lines, as well as how to help a person in distress in the water.

Mr Garrod was the warden on duty on the day of Mr Gina's death and descries patrolling the two lakes on the estate and dealing with a broken gate.

He said: "After learning of the incident me and the park manager Richard Wilkins were telling people to get out of the water, we must have told at least 50 people. I had done my usual patrols and advised people to follow park rules.

"There are over 40 signs in multiple languages around the park that clearly state the water is deep and cold, and not to swim in it. There are multiple throw lines to help people in the water and I also have one with me at all times in my vehicle."

After Mr Gina's death Mr Garrod, Mr Wilkins and Mr Bacon the site's owner attended a water safety course provided by Norfolk fire and rescue.

Mr Garrod was then questioned by Mr Gina's mother, who asked him why he 'ignored' sunbathers filing past with lilos and armbands as witnessed by Mr Gina's aunt Violet Cunningham.

She said: "How many times did you patrol on the day that my son died, given you were busy with the gate? And how could you ignore all the people coming to have a good time with barbecues and swimming gear?"

Mr Garrod said that it was often "difficult" to tell people to get out of the water, and that they "make their own rules".

He told the coroner Jaqueline Lake: "We often get sworn at, or told 'it doesn't matter we can swim' we ask people to respect the park rules and the signage, but we don't have the power of arrest and we can't haul swimmers out of the water. It's not a criminal offence, so there isn't much the police can do either.

"It's an old quarry, so the water is cold and is a risk for cold water shock, it's not flowing water which is warming."

Dawn Cunningham, Mr Gina's grandmother, along with Violet Cunningham have campaigned in the last year to have more stringent safety measures at the park and even calling for a temporary closure.

They said the pictures on the website make the water look "enticing" to visitors.

Norfolk police confirmed that: "If the landowner has an issue and wishes to remove someone from the site then we have to take action, but it is not a criminal act to go swimming in the water."

Mr Wilkins, the park's manager said: "We have taken steps to implement safety measures since the death of Mr Gina but our wardens do not have the power of arrest. While tragic, despite advising people to respect park rules we can't prevent every death. There have been six deaths in the last year in Britain's inland waterways."

Mr Gina appears to have drowned or suffered from cold water shock, as it was revealed at the inquest that his toxicology report was clear of drugs and alcohol and he was otherwise healthy.

This has yet to be concluded by the coroner.

The inquest is set to continue tomorrow for conclusion.