Kempele reopens high diving platform after two drownings

Kempele has reopened the high diving platform at the Ouluntulli quarry swimming site after two drowning accidents there in just over a year, Yle reports. The municipality says the reopening is intended to prevent dangerous jumps into the water from the wide upper level.

New structures will be built at the site to improve safety. Kempele municipality and rescue authorities have assessed the swimming site together, and the municipality has also discussed the matter with the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency, Tukes.

The planned changes are designed especially to make rescues from the water easier. New stairs will be built at the northern diving area. They will be wider and less steep than the current stairs. Small piers or platforms will also be built beside both diving areas to make rescues safer.

The higher diving area will be modified to improve safety. The current springboard will be removed and replaced with a new board at the level of the rock, reducing the jumping height by about one to two metres.

A crane truck will also have better access to the northern diving area. Trees along the shore will be thinned to make it easier to use the vehicle in a possible rescue operation.

Attachment points for ropes will be installed in the rock, and an information board will explain the risks of jumping and safer ways to do it.

The municipality says the changes are intended to ensure that the site serves both recreational users and rescue operations. It reminds visitors to act cautiously and assess their own abilities and the conditions before jumping or swimming.