The owner of Let’s Go Hydro, a water park in Northern Ireland, has announced he will drain the lake at his facility if young people continue to trespass and swim in it at night. Pete Boyle, the park’s owner, stated the decision is a safety measure prompted by repeated unauthorized access to the lake, particularly during colder months when the water temperature poses a significant risk.
Boyle explained that the thought of a potential drowning keeps him awake at night. “I simply cannot have that risk in my life. If we cannot keep them out, there’s only one thing left to do and that’s to empty the lake,” he said, according to reports. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of the issue and has confirmed children have been entering the outdoor activity facility.
The water park recently invested £30,000 in novel fencing, alongside existing CCTV security measures, in an attempt to deter trespassers. Despite these efforts, individuals continue to climb the fence around 20:00 and remain at the lake until close to midnight over the past three weekends. Boyle emphasized the potential for tragedy, stating that a drowning would be considered his fault, even with the safety precautions in place.
Dangerous Water Temperatures
The current water temperature is a major concern. Boyle reported the lake temperature was recently measured at eight degrees Celsius (approximately 46 degrees Fahrenheit). He warned that immersion in water that cold can lead to incapacitation and death within approximately eight minutes. “If you go in that lake, you’ve got about eight minutes before you will die,” he stated. The lack of immediate rescue options further exacerbates the danger.
Boyle stressed that the lake is safe for swimming only when lifeguards are on duty and life jackets are worn. He highlighted the extensive time and money invested in ensuring regulated and safe conditions during operating hours. Still, he reiterated that unauthorized access at night, without safety equipment or the possibility of rescue, is incredibly dangerous.
Legal Considerations for Water Park Safety
The situation raises questions about the responsibilities of property owners regarding trespassers. While laws vary, property owners generally have a duty of care to avoid creating unreasonable risks, even for those who enter their property illegally. According to Chicago Injury Lawyer, even trespassers are owed some duty of care.
A 2025 report by Malm Legal highlighted that thirteen of the approximately 3,500 drowning incidents in the U.S. Occurred in lakes or ponds. This underscores the inherent risks associated with open water and the potential for liability in cases of negligence.
Boyle has stated that the company has exhausted all reasonable measures short of draining the lake. He emphasized that the decision to drain the lake is a last resort, driven by a desire to prevent a catastrophic incident. “There’s no way of rescue – it’s so dangerous,” he said.
The situation remains ongoing, with Boyle awaiting a resolution to the trespassing issue. The water park is appealing to the public to respect the safety measures in place and refrain from entering the lake without authorization. The next step will depend on whether the trespassers cease their activity, potentially averting the need to drain the lake.
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