Cygnet killed in 'unfortunate accident' at Durham Regatta

An incident which saw a cygnet struck and killed by a rowing boat dampened the otherwise cheery mood at Durham Regatta on Saturday.

In an apparently inadvertent collision the cygnet, one of several paddling across the River Wear with two adult swans, was hit by a coxed four crew who were facing backwards as they raced down the River Wear in one of the hundreds of contests on the city racecourse.

Shocked onlookers appeared to be distressed as the scene unfolded in front of a landing stage lined with spectators.

A rescue craft was quickly on hand to try to recover the stricken cygnet from the river.

One of those present on the riverbanks at the time said it seemed to be a "totally accidental" collision, with unfortunate consequences.

"The crew involved was rowing backwards and would not have seen the swans.

"Some of the people sitting nearby were really distressed.

"It was obviously quite upsetting."

But another observer said the group of swans and cygnets had previously been narrowly missed by an eight crew and questioned whether more could have been done to try to move them from the course of the boats during the races.

"I think the umpires or race organisers who were stationed along the course and had seen the swans interfering with the previous race should have acted sooner to stop racing and relocate the swans.

"I do not think it was acceptable to stop it only after a swan had been killed." 

Regatta chair Michael Laing said he was made aware of the incident, which he described as, "a very unfortunate accident", and, in keeping with rowing guidelines, was reported to the relevant agencies.

Mr Laing said: "We know there's been an incident with a cygnet.

"I have spoken to the Regatta Secretary and we have followed British Rowing guidelines regarding the managing of wildlife on the river.

See more rowing stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Sunshine defies forecasters as 192nd Durham Regatta starts on the Wear

Details for spectators heading to the Durham Regatta this weekend 

Durham Regatta 2025: Rowers to take to Wear in 192nd event

"It appears to have been a very unfortunate accident.

"We have reported it to Defra (Department for Farming and Rural Affairs) and to the police."

The incident took place as crowds were starting to build up on the riverbanks on the opening day of the 192nd regatta which attracted hundreds of crews and thousands of spectators to the Wear in Durham.