River safety appeal as another missing man’s family grieve
A petition calling for measures to improve safety on the River Medway has been set up following the disappearance of teenager Ben Savage – the third man to go missing in similar circumstances in recent years.
Following an intensive eightday search, his family issued a heartbreaking statement saying they accept that the 18-year-old most likely fell in the river.
Ben, a former pupil at The Holmesdale School in Snodland, disappeared after a night out in Medway – in scenes reminiscent of Pat Lamb, who vanished from Maidstone on December 13 two years ago. Pat’s body was recovered from Cuxton Marina a month later.
And in April 2013, 18-year-old soldier Josh Thomas slipped into the river and drowned after spending the night in Rochester.
Ben was last seen on CCTV at Sun Pier in Chatham in the early hours of Tuesday, December 6.
Ben’s mother, Tara, this week issued a statement on behalf of herself, his father, Martin, brother Luke and the rest of their family thanking all those involved for their “overwhelming support” in the search effort.
She said: “After an extensive review of CCTV footage, we are coming to terms with the likelihood that Ben fell in the Medway during the early hours.
“Based on the temperature of the water, the river currents and Ben’s level of consciousness when entering the river, we have to assume that he would have been unable to swim to safety.
“This is a heartbreaking time for everyone.”
Now campaigners are calling for Kent County Council to introduce safety measures along the Medway with a petition which gained thousands of signatures in just a few hours.
Ashleigh Head, who has set up the online campaign for river safety improvements, wrote: “Too many people over the past years have been going missing and end up being found in the River Medway, especially with nightlife being located so nearby, not just in the Medway towns but Maidstone also.
“I feel that if we had enough signatures and support that maybe Medway Council and or Kent County Council could look into possibly making railings more higher or even having netting to reduce the risk of people falling or jumping into the river.”
Claire Deadmon wrote: “Should have been done two years ago when Patrick lost his life.”
Other river deaths include that of Sonny Pataria, who drowned at Chatham in 2009, just two days after celebrating his 18th birthday.
And in 2007, Terry Reynolds, 19, disappeared on New Year’s Day after spending New Year’s Eve at The Casino Rooms in Rochester. His body was found in the river at Halling three weeks later.
Speaking from the family home in Strood last week, Ben’s mother, Tara, said: “It’s not like him not to come home. He knows I would be worried. He would always text me if he was stopping at a friend’s.”
The police investigation into Ben’s disappearance is ongoing. Anyone with any information can call police on 101 quoting reference 06-0198.
To sign the river safety petition, go to change.org and search for River Medway