On 5 March 2025, 19-year-old University of York student Evan d'Andilly entered the River Ouse and remained afloat, calling for help for about 20 minutes before disappearing beneath the surface. Police reached the bank within minutes but a ring-buoy throw failed; phone records show the York Rescue Boat was alerted around 03:08–03:11 and arrived at 03:22, with d'Andilly vanishing at about 03:23. A fire service boat based in Selby reached the scene at 03:37. Family members criticised rescue delays and have urged clearer safety protocols and better coordination between emergency services.
19-Year-Old University Student Called For Help For 20 Minutes Before Drowning In York's River Ouse — Family Demands Answers
Evan d'AndillyCredit: North Yorkshire Police Facebook
On 5 March 2025, 19-year-old University of York student Evan d'Andilly entered the River Ouse in York and remained afloat while repeatedly calling for help for about 20 minutes before disappearing beneath the surface, an inquest at North Yorkshire Coroner's Court heard.
What Happened
According to court testimony and local reporting, d'Andilly was socialising with friends in York city centre and entered the water at about 3:03 a.m. Police reached the riverbank within three minutes, but an officer's attempt to reach him with a ring buoy was unsuccessful. Surveillance footage shown in court captured d'Andilly shouting for help while a police officer on the bank reassured him that rescuers were on their way.
Stock image of a rescue boat on River Ouse in York, EnglandCredit: Alamy
Timeline And Emergency Response
Phone records presented at the inquest indicate the volunteer York Rescue Boat was alerted between 3:08 a.m. and 3:11 a.m. It arrived at 3:22 a.m., roughly one minute before d'Andilly disappeared beneath the surface at about 3:23 a.m. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service had also been notified at around 3:07 a.m., but its vessel — based some 14 miles away in Selby — did not reach the scene until 3:37 a.m.
Body-worn camera footage played in court captured Officer Grace Sylvester expressing frustration at the delay. Sergeant Daniel Stubbs, the acting police inspector at the time, said he had not realised the fire service's rescue boat was not based in York.
Evan d'AndillyCredit: North Yorkshire Police Facebook
Family Reaction And Official Statements
d'Andilly's mother, Lorraine, told reporters her son "fought for another 10 minutes" and criticised what she described as flawed safety protocols. She said the past 16 months since his death had been "unbearable" and called for clearer, faster coordination between emergency services on York's waterways.
The York Rescue Boat issued a statement saying it works closely with emergency-service partners and expressed condolences to the family. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also offered sympathies and said it remains committed to learning from the incident, improving response capability and supporting water-safety education.
Stock image of the River Ouse in York, EnglandCredit: Getty
Context And Support
The inquest heard that d'Andilly had previously struggled with his mental health and had attempted suicide; his father said he had been in a "good place" before the incident. Family members and the local community have renewed calls for improved safety protocols and faster, clearer communication between rescue services.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please contact local support services. In the United States call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org; in the UK contact Samaritans at 116 123.
North Yorkshire Police said its officers and staff tried to save Mr d'Andilly under extremely difficult circumstances and that findings from the inquest will be reviewed with partner agencies.
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