BBC Producer Dies While Conducting 'Wild Swim'

I don’t think this story has reached the national papers and just thought I would like to pass on my condolences to anyone who knew Tarquin Proud, series producer of among others 'Chasing Rainbows' and 'Lunchtime Doctor'.

BBC Producer drowns while conducting ‘Wild Swim’.

A BBC producer was dragged to his death in a Devon river while indulging in the latest town and country pursuit of the creative middle classes. Tarquin Proud, 41, was dragged under by strong currents while swimming and attempting to check his Blackberry mobile device in an undisclosed North Devon river. As a keen observer of trends, he was said by colleagues to have been desperate to undertake in this increasingly popular pastime.

A 'Wild Swim' involves taking a innocuous dip in a secluded country river, and has lately gained popularity with the release of a book of the same title, by author Daniel Smart. Articles in 'The Guardian' and 'The Telegraph', have caused a distinct increase in the activity in recent months, with participants distinctly unaware of the dangers of strong river currents and aggressive river fish such as pike. Swimmers are also susceptible to Leptospirosis (commonly known as weil's disease), which can be contracted in river water from rats urine, and results in death in 10% of cases.

Mr. Proud's wife, speaking to the paper from their £625,000 Stoke Newington town house, moved swiftly to warn fellow swimmers of the dangers of wild swimming and urged city dwellers to holiday in safe coast guarded Cornish beach areas such as St.Ives.

Source: North Devon Bugle