Grieving families’ plea to stop drowning tragedies
FAMILIES who have lost loved ones in drowning accidents have come together to promote a water-safety campaign during the summer holidays.
In the latest tragedy, 14-year-old Adam Kay lost his life in the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park in Salford last month. He was out enjoying the hot weather with friends when he jumped into the water. As part of the campaign, a water safety day of action will be held this Friday.
Firefighters, police and United Utilities will all help raise awareness of the dangers of open water, with a number of activities taking place.
Water training will take place on the River Irwell in Clifton, with volunteers talking to passers-by about water safety.
Paul Lawson was just 16 when he lost his life swimming in Greenbooth Reservoir in Norden, Rochdale, in June 2018. His mum Natalie Lawson recalled the heartbreaking moment she was told her son had died.
She said: “I remember I was sat in the kitchen. I had a load of people around because they didn’t believe it.
I was with CID sat in the kitchen, and they get a phone call.
“They were only just getting his body out of the water. And that’s when I broke down and I knew that
The water doesn’t care if you are a strong swimmer or not Chris Jordan, uncle of drowning victim Jack Pullen
my life had changed forever. It’s not just my life – he left a sister behind. She was eight at the time. To turn round to your daughter and tell her that her brother isn’t coming home was the second hardest thing I have had to say and accept in my life. “The first hardest thing was to accept that my boy wasn’t coming back, all because it was a hot day and it was fun and he thought he could handle the water. The water can handle anybody. Seriously, it is not worth it. Honestly, just please don’t go in the water. It is not worth putting your family through this years down the line.”
Jack Pullen, 16, drowned in the River Etherow in Broadbottom, near
Hyde, in July, 2016. Chris Jordan, his uncle, said for the campaign: “You could be the strongest swimmer in the world.
“Jack, unfortunately, wasn’t a strong swimmer. But the water doesn’t care if you’re a strong swimmer or not. The water can be vicious and it can change in an instant. It can just take you away like it took Jack from us.”
Drama student Mark Allen died after getting into difficulties in Debdale Reservoir in Gorton in June, 2018. The 18-year-old had scaled a fence to swim on a hot day and was with friends, who waded in to save him but were unable to pull him out.
His mum Leeanne Bartley said: “There was a police family liaison officer there and she said ‘you don’t need to do anything. We have got him.’ I said ‘what do you mean?’ And they said ‘we’ve got his body. We’ve recovered his body.’ I just dropped to the floor.
“I don’t remember anything after