Probably controvertial again.....

It sounds as though the firm didn't give adequate advice about the conditions on the river

Was that the man who had to choose between his children? If so I did read that on the net. From the sounds of it the rental company didn't advise on conditions or even check if he was capable of going out in it. Very tragic.

Yes, it sounds as if he wasn't given proper advice.

However................................................................Surely the responsibility for your/your childrens safety should lie with you. I wouldn't take my children out in a canoe, regardless of whether the canoe company warned me of strong currents or whatever, because I am not a competent canoeist and would therefore not be sure that my children would be safe.

I wouldn't, for instance, let my children go out in a car with a learner dirver, assuming it was safe just because I had warned the driver that the roads can be dangerous.

A tragic story.

Yes, I agree. I haven't actually read anything that puts the blame at the company, but equally I don't blame the father. It's just a tragic accident.