This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7007081.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
PCSOs 'did not watch boy drown' PCSOs 'did not watch boy drown'
(30 minutes later)
Community support officers (PCSOs) "did not stand by and watch" a 10-year-old boy drown, a police chief has said.Community support officers (PCSOs) "did not stand by and watch" a 10-year-old boy drown, a police chief has said.
Asst Ch Con Dave Thompson defended the two PCSOs actions after the death of Jordon Lyon, who drowned in a pond in Wigan, Greater Manchester on 3 May.Asst Ch Con Dave Thompson defended the two PCSOs actions after the death of Jordon Lyon, who drowned in a pond in Wigan, Greater Manchester on 3 May.
He said officers were not expected to jump into the water to rescue people and there was no indication where Jordon was in the lake. He said officers were not expected to rescue people from water and they could not see where Jordon was in the lake.
An inquest into Jordon's death recorded a verdict of accidental death. Instead, the PCSOs summoned extra help and made sure emergency services could locate the scene.
Jordon had leapt into the water after his eight-year-old stepsister Bethany got into difficulties as they collected tadpoles. Jordon had leapt into the water at John Pit after his eight-year-old stepsister Bethany got into difficulties as they collected tadpoles.
He was trying to support Bethany as she struggled in the six-feet-deep water before slipping from view.He was trying to support Bethany as she struggled in the six-feet-deep water before slipping from view.
Two anglers jumped in and saved Bethany but Jordon became submerged.Two anglers jumped in and saved Bethany but Jordon became submerged.
The alarm was raised and the PCSOs arrived on the scene. Police said they could see no sign of Jordon in the water, so they radioed trained officers for help.The alarm was raised and the PCSOs arrived on the scene. Police said they could see no sign of Jordon in the water, so they radioed trained officers for help.
Mr Thompson said they would not encourage any police officer to jump into the water because of the dangers and he paid tribute to the PCSOs for "acting correctly".Mr Thompson said they would not encourage any police officer to jump into the water because of the dangers and he paid tribute to the PCSOs for "acting correctly".
But he insisted: "The two PCSOs involved did not stand by and watch Jordan die.But he insisted: "The two PCSOs involved did not stand by and watch Jordan die.
The pond is at a well-known beauty spot in Wigan
"They acted correctly and I fully support the actions they took."They acted correctly and I fully support the actions they took.
"The initial call to police gave the wrong location. This was no-one's fault, as the lake is known by several different names locally and there are other similar lakes nearby."The initial call to police gave the wrong location. This was no-one's fault, as the lake is known by several different names locally and there are other similar lakes nearby.
"The PCSOs managed to establish the correct location and immediately informed the control room to ensure the emergency services were sent there."The PCSOs managed to establish the correct location and immediately informed the control room to ensure the emergency services were sent there.
Fraught with danger
"One PCSO cycled to the road to alert other emergency services as they headed to the scene, while the other remained at the lake."One PCSO cycled to the road to alert other emergency services as they headed to the scene, while the other remained at the lake.
"Again it is important to stress that Jordon had not been seen for some time before their arrival. The inquest established that, tragically, at the time of the PCSOs' arrival, Jordan was probably dead."Again it is important to stress that Jordon had not been seen for some time before their arrival. The inquest established that, tragically, at the time of the PCSOs' arrival, Jordan was probably dead.
"We do not encourage police and PCSOs to carry out this kind of underwater rescue. They are not trained in this type of rescue, which is fraught with danger."We do not encourage police and PCSOs to carry out this kind of underwater rescue. They are not trained in this type of rescue, which is fraught with danger.
Mrs Ganderton wants the PCSOs to be named
"Everyone involved in this incident has been deeply affected and saddened by the loss of a young life.""Everyone involved in this incident has been deeply affected and saddened by the loss of a young life."
Jordon's mother Tracy Ganderton and stepfather Anthony, of Bluebell Avenue, Wigan, are demanding to know why the PCSOs did not try to rescue Jordon and why they did not give evidence at the inquest held by deputy West Manchester coroner Alan Walsh on Friday.
Mr Ganderton told the inquest: "I don't know why they didn't go in. I can't understand it.
"If I had been walking along a canal and seen a child drowning I would have jumped in.
'Through the pain'
"You don't have to be trained to jump in after a drowning child."
Mrs Ganderton said: "You don't care if you're going to lose your job or not, you don't care do you?
"I want to know why they didn't go in, I want to know why they weren't at the inquest when I had to turn up there, and go through the pain of it all."
An inquest into Jordon's death recorded a verdict of accidental death.