Dad’s plea after son’s river tragedy
A Wearside firefighter has helped launch a national campaign to warn drinkers to steer clear of water after his son died a year ago in a river tragedy.
Today is the start of the Don’t Drink and Drown national campaign that warns drinkers to steer clear of walking by or entering water when under the influence of alcohol.
Sadly, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service employee Dave Irwin knows the dangers of being drunk near water all too well.
Dave’s much-loved son Ross is thought to have fallen into the river after a night out with work colleagues in the Fatfield area of Washington on December 23 last year.
The fun-loving 22-yearold, who worked at the Child Benefit Centre, in Waterview Park, Washington, left a nearby pub just before 11pm, telling friends he was going to get a taxi to Sunderland.
It is thought he went through a small gap in a fence by the river bank to urinate and fell down the drop straight into the river.
His body was found on Christmas Eve about 100 yards down the river from where he fell in.
Heartbroken Dave said his son was an inspiration to him and despite being diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler, Ross, a former Houghton Kepier and Usworth Sixth Form pupil, never let the condition affect him.
Dave, who is a crew manager for the service, said: “He was a fun-loving, genuine, selfless, caring and funny young man. He never let his disability get in the way of his life.
“He loved “the sesh” with his friends and was living life to the full.”
Thousands of pounds were raised by well-wishers following Ross’s death, with friends wanting to pay for his funeral.
Dave is now supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS) Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, urging people not to take risks on a night out.
Dave, who is also dad to Jack, added: “If I can manage to stop this tragedy from ever happening again, I am willing to talk about this incident to anybody who is willing to listen.”