The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
‘Our thanks to beach heroes’
Tragedy: Message to brave passersby who tried to save mother and son
THE family of a mother and son who died when a family day out turned to tragedy have said a “heartfelt thanks” to the people who battled to save their lives.
Julie Walker went into the sea at Aberdeen beach after six-year-old Lucas fell into the water.
The schoolboy’s elder brother Samuel, 13, also made a heroic rescue bid along with passersby and off-duty police officers.
Ms Walker and Lucas were pulled from the water but later died in hospital.
Samuel is understood to be recovering at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
The Walker family paid tribute to rescuers on the day Aberdeen City Council’s leader said she was “satisfied” sufficient safety measures were in place at the beach.
But she added a review was likely to take place.
In a statement, the Walker family said: “As a family we are understandably devastated by the loss of Julie and Lucas, a muchloved mother and son.
“Julie was a kind and loving mother who would have done anything for her children, while Lucas was a lively and energetic little boy who was inquisitive by nature.
“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who assisted at the scene, and would also like to say how grateful we are to the members of the public who entered the water that day to help.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the countless messages of support we have received. We can take great comfort from them at this extremely difficult time.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Laing told councillors the authority was “doing all it can” to assist the family.
She said the council’s social work department, in partnership with NHS Grampian, were providing “all the support possible in the days, weeks and months ahead, to help Samuel and the rest of the family to come to terms with this tragedy”.
Support is also being offered to pupils at Bramble Brae, where Lucas had just started primary three, and Harlaw Academy, where Samuel is a pupil.
Mrs Laing added: “The loss of Lucas and the impact on Samuel will be felt by both school communities.”
The council leader also said she had “sought clarity” that the authority was meeting its responsibilities in terms of beach safety.
She said: “Council has elected to provide both public safety notices along the full two kilometres (1.25 miles) of the beach as well as providing 29 lifebelts every 50-100 metres along the length of the beach. “The provision and inspection of the lifebelts is the responsibility of environmental services and the provision and replacement of the public safety notices is the responsibility of the roads section.
“In terms of external independent assurance on these activities, reliance is placed on the annual two unannounced visits by Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of the annual beachside award which assesses a council’s management of the beach.
“The beach was assessed on June 14 this year. The report confirmed that everything was in place and no issues were raised in terms of beach safety.
“While our risk assessment for the beach is not due for another year and we have just received our annual assessment, I understand Keep Scotland Beautiful has offered assistance to undertake a new risk assessment and undertake a second inspection.”