A report on whether to reopen a popular tourist attraction in Maldon is due to be published this week.

The Marine Lake in Promenade Park was closed last August after a visitor from Shoebury died after diving into it.

The lake, which contains two million gallons of water, has not been re-opened since.

Kevin Gay, 47, was on a family outing in Maldon with his wife Pamela and two children aged nine, and 11, when the tragedy happened.

The father hit his head on one of the wooden posts that support depth markers and later died at Broomfield Hospital.

The lake, which is owned by Maldon District Council, was shut and drained straight after the accident. Essex Police did not treat the incident as suspicious.

Maldon District Council is due to receive the results of an independent report commissioned by the council about the future of the lake in the next week.

Richard Holmes, facilities manager at Maldon District Council, said: "It will look at the options for the future of the Marine Lake for us to consider."

Cate Knox, chairman the Friends of the Prom, said: "Obviously we would be very unhappy if it closed because of the effects it would have on businesses."

The results of an investigation launched by Health and Safety Executive have not yet been published.

Published Monday, January 13, 2003

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