Parents united in grief join forces for campaign

Two parents who lost their children in drowning accidents have teamed up to try to prevent any more needless deaths.

Neil Crook, who lost his 15-year-old son Alex in Wigan in September, is working with Beckie Ramsay, whose son Dylan, 13, died in Chorley in 2011.

They met recently at Scotman's Flash, where Alex - who could not swim - drowned in deep water.

Mr Crook said he wanted to see more schools provide swimming lessons for families who could not afford them.

Since Alex's death on 7 September, Mr Crook has launched his Awareness for Alex campaign about the dangers of open water and to raise funds for warning signs and life-saving equipment.

Ms Ramsay, who lost her son Dylan when he drowned in Hill Top Quarry in Whittle-le-Woods in 2011, won her campaign to see water safety added to the national curriculum in 2023, and received a British Empire Medal in recognition of her work.

She said it was "a disgrace" that there was no signage or lighting at Scotman's Flash.

"There were no signs and no lighting and the water is so enticing in summer months."

Mr Crook said Alex and his friends had been standing in the water at waist height, before moving into part of the lake which dropped off steeply.

He said there were no warning signs and life-saving equipment in the area where Alex was pulled from the water.

Mr Cook, 45, said he and his family wanted to spare other families the heartache they had to endure.

He said "our world got turned upside down" by the death of Alex, who had just been made a school prefect.

"We're keeping busy with the start of our campaign," he said.

"We are focusing on that and determined to make it safer - not just at Scotsman's Flash but at every place with open water."

He said: "Scotsman's Flash is our first port of call but we are not stopping there.

"We don't want any other family to go through what we will continue to go through."

Wigan Council said it was looking at further safety measures at the site.

A spokesperson said: "Following the devastating incident at Scotman’s Flash, Wigan Council has been working closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and other partners through our water safety partnership to review further safety measures at the site.

"The safety of the public is always our top priority and we are continuing to meet with Alex’s family as we explore all options to prevent similar tragedies in the future, whether through education or future improvements at the nature reserve."

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