A grieving mum whose son died three years ago has issued a heartfelt plea following the death of a Colne teenager.
Beckie Ramsay, from Chorley, has spoken out after former Colne Park High School student James Goodship (17) drowned in water at Burwain Sailing Club. His body was found yesterday morning.
Now Beckie, who has this week launched a new reservoir information safety pack with United Utilities, has urged other local youngsters to remain aware of the dangers of outdoor water. The devoted mum lost her 13-year-old son after he got into difficulty playing in a quarry lake with friends.
The 34-year-old said: “This is devastating, and it brings everything back to the surface - all the feelings we had back then.
“We need to do something as a country to stop this from happening. All I would say to somebody wanting to go into open water is ‘if there is no lifeguard, there is no swimming’. Simple as that.
“I have been campaigning tirelessly for nearly three years, and over 12 months there have been changes. But that is no consequence to the family who have just lost their loved one.
“I would like to offer my condolences, and if the parents would like to speak to someone who knows exactly how they are feeling, then I am always around.
“This is another needless death in my opinion, another future gone, and another family torn apart. This has just reinforced why I have to keep doing what I am doing.”
Beckie’s work with United Utilities has been launched during National Drowning Prevention Week, which runs until June 29th.
