Adventure companies face new safety rules after young girl died white water rafting on perilous river
- - Parents of Cerys Potter are calling for stricter controls on operators
- - Terence Potter said companies make rafting more dangerous to sell DVDs
- - Coroner at inquest of nine-year-old said he will ask questions of government
By AARON SHARP
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Adventure companies could be forced to adhere to stricter safety rules after a schoolgirl was tragically killed in a rafting accident in Turkey, an inquest has heard.
Nine-year-old Cerys Potter died on a family holiday white-water rafting on a river where nine other tourists have previously drowned in rapids.
Today, a coroner told the inquest into her death he may call on the government to consider the introduction of more stringent safety guidelines to ensure greater protection.
Cerys Potter, who died in a Turkish rafting accident, with her mother Julie and brother James September 2008
Cerys’ parents are campaigning for new controls on white water rafting on the Dalaman river, where the schoolgirl was killed.
Her father Terry Potter told the hearing: 'There are wider public issues highlighted by Cerys’ death.
'We feel very strongly there are public interest questions which need to be asked.
'We’ve put together a lot of evidence about the circumstances of the rafting industry in Turkey.'
Cerys died when her raft capsized in rapids on a perilous stretch of the river near the Aegean Sea.
She was travelling with 11 other passengers in a boat which should only have carried eight people.
Rafting company Marmaris Tours continued to offer rafting excursions after the tragedy in July 2010.
After discovering the excursions were still being sold, Mr Potter travelled to the scene of his daughter’s death to film the treacherous conditions.
He claimed boats were being deliberately flipped on rocks so dramatic footage could be sold to passengers on £40 DVDs.
Terry and Julie Potter. Mr Potter is now calling for stricter rules to apply to adventure companies
Mr Potter, of Llancarfan, near Cardiff, says he has showed his footage to rafting experts who said the water was too dangerous for children under the age of 12.
His videos have now been passed onto a coroner who will consider issuing new guidance for tourism and travel companies.
Assistant coroner for Cardiff, Christopher Woolley, said: 'If there are circumstances which I feel might lead to death in the future it might be appropriate to make a report.
'If I think there are actions in the UK, such as advising tourism companies on white water rafting, it is in my power to do so.'
Marmaris Tours were stripped of their operating licence after Terry lobbied the Turkish authorities.
Four men appeared in a Turkish court earlier this year where they were found guilty of causing death by recklessness.
Terry Potter (centre white t-shirt) whose daughter Cerys died in a Turkish rafting accident, goes back to Turkey to experience white water rafting on the same stretch of river where his daughter died
Directors Ali Koru and Osman Tugcu and guides, Imdat Akboyun and Ali Doganay were given five-and-a-half-years in jail.
A full hearing into Cerys’ death will be held next year after a pre-inquest review looked at the evidence which would be heard.
The coroner said he will consider making a 'Rule 43 report' to be sent around the tourism industry. The inquest was adjourned until February for a full hearing.
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