A family has been left devastated after two separate drowning tragedies occurred in the same river, 12 years apart. Michael Scott, 67, lost his younger brother Andrew in the River Aire and Calder, and then his grandson Tyler Wilson, 16, in the same waterway. Now, they are supporting a campaign for greater safety measures to prevent further loss of life.
Two Tragedies, Same River
In May 2023, Tyler Wilson, a strong swimmer, died after entering the River Aire and Calder near Methley Bridge in Castleford, West Yorkshire. He suffered cold water shock. Twelve years earlier, Michael's brother Andrew, 46, who could not swim, drowned while attempting to cross the river using stepping stones. Both tragedies were witnessed by the same family members, with Tyler's mother Zoe being the first on the scene both times.
Michael, a former miner and ground worker, said: "I drilled it into Tyler about the water because of what happened to my brother. But they don't listen, I don't suppose I did when I was young." He described the moment he received the call from his daughter Zoe: "She was screaming. I just remember her saying 'he's in the river'. I felt like I was dreaming."
The Heartbreaking Details
Zoe Graham, 38, Tyler's mother, recalled the horrific experience: "It was horrendous. They found him but he wasn't alive. I collapsed and was in a wheelchair. It's massively affected us. We have to live with this daily." She added that she had warned Tyler every day about the dangers of the river due to her uncle's death, but never imagined history would repeat itself.
Michael described losing his brother Andrew: "He slipped on a stepping stone. He couldn't swim and the current took him. You never think it is going to happen to you, but it has to us, twice."
Campaign for Water Safety
The family is backing the Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign, which aims to prevent drowning deaths. The campaign has gained support from organisations such as the Royal Lifesaving Society UK, RoSPA, the RNLI, and Olympic swimmers Becky Adlington and Tom Dean. Michael emphasised the need for education, especially on platforms like TikTok: "It's 100 per cent education. Kids watch things like TikTok. We need to reach them there."
More than 500 people attended a balloon release for Tyler, who was a popular teenager studying bricklaying. His grandfather still wears Tyler's visi jacket as a tribute. In their home, they keep a photo of Tyler with his favourite sunglasses and a candle.
A Message to Young People
The family urges youngsters to think twice before entering water: "You don't know about currents, what's underneath, or cold water shock. It might seem like five minutes of fun, but it could end your life. Your family will suffer the ripple effect." Susan, Michael's wife, added: "There's too many children dying in the water."
Zoe summed up the ongoing pain: "It hits me like a tonne of bricks. I feel so sorry for all those parents, and I know how they are feeling."
