Wills’s plea to curb toll of river suicide

PRINCE William launched a river safety campaign on the Thames yesterday and said everyone has a role to play in saving lives.

William, who has campaigned for better prevention and awareness of male suicide, said he was shocked to learn of the 700 incidents in a year along the river, including 30 deaths.

After meeting grieving relatives, he said: ‘Their stories are heart-breaking reminders of how important all your work is to keep the river safe. Every life lost and every life-changing accident is one too many.

‘Everyday people, going about their commute or on their journey to the pub, have a hugely important role to play.

‘Don’t be afraid to stop and intervene if you see someone who might be considering taking their own life.

‘A simple, “Hello, how are you?” is sometimes all it takes to save a life.’

The launch of the ‘drowning prevention strategy’ saw William take to the Thames in a London Port Authority boat. Safety features, such as chains around bridge plinths for people to cling to, were pointed out to him during the 15-minute journey from the Savoy hotel to Tower Bridge.

Andrea Corrie’s son James Clark, 19, drowned in the Thames in July 2005.

Medical secretary Mrs Corrie, 63, from Devon, said: ‘No parent should ever have to bury their child.

‘One of the things that is so important is that when groups of kids go out, they need to keep in good contact.’