Passionate plea to respect cold water
THE devastated brother of a teenager killed by cold water has opened up about his death, in the hope of saving lives.
Cyle Gosling, now 12, lost his brother Cameron in 2015, when the 14-year-old plunged into the icy water of the River Wear.
The sudden temperature change sent the teenager’s body into shock, killing him. His family has since campaigned for a better understanding of the dangers of cold water.
And brave Cyle is doing his part, giving an emotional speech to fellow students at Parkside Academy, Willington – where Cameron was also a pupil – about life without his brother.
Speaking to year eight classes, Cyle said: “Imagine going out every day and your best friend not being there to laugh, joke and mess around with – that’s what it’s like for me.”
Recalling the day his brother died, he continued: “My mam and dad came and told me Cameron had jumped in the river and hadn’t come back up.
“My first reaction was to burst out in tears – to try and take my mind off what was happening in the other room I put some comedy movies on Netflix.
“After what seemed like forever we were told he had been found and I asked my mam and dad if he was alive – they both shook their heads.
“The tears started again, and this time wouldn’t stop. I turned all Cam’s photos around out of the way, I just couldn’t look at them.
“Cameron wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend Cameron Gosling and I will never forget him.”
Hoping to honour his sibling by stopping others from dying in the same way, he offered a stark warning to watching teenagers.
He said: “The message my family wants to get out to everyone is ‘just stay safe around water, acclimatise your body to the temperature of the water before jumping in, it will take you five minutes and give you a better chance of going home’.”