Eighteen families who have lost loved ones to drowning have written an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, demanding he appoint a Water Safety Minister. The families took action after a family of four died in Shoreham-by-Sea, including a six-year-old girl who died days after her 14-year-old sister and their parents.
According to The Mirror's research, it was at least the 56th drowning this year, with 60 per cent of victims (34 people) aged 18 and under. The letter follows the launch of The Mirror's Save Lives for Sam campaign, which was set up after 19 people died in water-related incidents in just one week in May.
Families' plea for action
In the letter, the families write: "Dear Prime Minister, Anyone can drown. No one should. But our beloved family members did. We write to you from the heart, as families bereaved by the tragic drownings of our loved ones."
They add: "There have been far too many drowning fatalities this year. Each new death is deeply distressing because we know the grief and heartbreak another family is suddenly facing. During just one week in May, 19 people lost their lives in accidental water-related incidents, including 13 children and young people. These tragedies continue happening all too frequently, and we fear that longer, hotter summers will place even more people at risk around our waters in future. Drowning is preventable…"
The letter, written by Vanessa Abbess on behalf of the bereaved families, has been signed by Simon Haycock, Rebecca Hinde, Nombulelo and Jabulani Ndlovu, Stephanie Williams, Kaddy Ceesay, Dan Pascoe, Robbie Jones, Debbie Turnbull MBE, Mick Scott and Zoe Graham, Michael Swift and Suzie Gough, Joanne Howlett, Megan Griffiths and Andrea Corrie BEM, Nicola Jenkins, Leanne Bartley, Melanie Goodship, and Ren Baldry.
Stories behind the campaign
Simon Haycock, whose son Sam, 16, drowned at Ulley Reservoir in Rotherham in 2021, said: "Enough is Enough. I can’t stress enough how important this is to get Sam’s Law implemented and the five points we have been fighting for in place. This would go a long way in reassuring bereaved families that the Government is taking this seriously and are trying to protect the public from the dangers of open water. We have seen more than 50 deaths this year from drowning yet, it is as if it’s not a priority to the Government. It’s like we have to accept these deaths but most - if not all - could have been prevented."
Vanessa Abbess, whose son Joe, 17, died at Bournemouth beach in 2023, said: "Joe was a lovely son, he was happy and healthy, kind and generous, loving and caring, hardworking and fun. He is massively missed every day and will forever be incredibly loved. He was just stepping into adulthood and loving life, he deserved so much more time."
Michael Swift, whose son Mackenzie, 11, drowned in the River Don in South Yorkshire in May 2026, said: "The Prime Minister needs to take note and listen. It was only a matter of time in the summer holidays before more people lost their lives in open water. Hearing about the latest tragedies brought everything back. There are things that can be done to stop this happening. Why aren't they? It is irreparable the damage it causes."
Kaddy Ceesay, whose son Muhammed Secka, 16, drowned at Rother Valley country park in May 2026, said: "He was our pillar. Muhammed was our hope. It was the first time he had gone to the Rother Valley. He was invited by his friends in school and never came back. Now he is gone, I'm just living in pain."
Dan Pascoe, whose father Ian, 62, died trying to save children at Seaton Carew beach on July 12, 2026, said: "He was the kind of person who has always done the right thing. He was a big advocate for action and so am I. So we back your campaign for action and to raise awareness of water dangers. We don't want to talk about things, we need to do things. Something has to be done to improve water safety. Then his death will not be in vain."
Rebecca Hinde, whose son Joshua Hillstead, 8, drowned in the River Arrow in Warwickshire in July 2024, said: "The Government just needs to do better by our emergency services. There needs to be a water minister. We need the right resources in place to save our kids. Why are we not doing more to keep them safe? It feels like the worst year ever for the amount of deaths there have been. To lose my son in water was unbearable, it’s ridiculous, there’s no words to explain how I feel, no words to describe the pain. I hate that. It’s indescribable...it’s not fair because it’s preventable. If we all did better, people wouldn’t drown, it’s as simple as that. Why is one life not enough to change things?"
Support from safety organisations
Ross Macleod, RNLI Water Safety Manager, said: "We have huge admiration for the families who have turned unimaginable personal loss into action to help prevent others experiencing the tragedy of drowning. Courage is one of the RNLI’s core values, and these families embody that through their determination to share their stories to help prevent further tragedies taking place."
Pete Kennedy from the Royal Life Saving Society UK said: "Each person lost to drowning leaves family, friends, and communities with a lifetime of grief. RLSS UK stands with families bereaved by drowning and echoes their call for action to be taken to prevent more tragedies. The Prime Minister should start by appointing a Minister with responsibility for water safety, to lead on policy development in this area. Only the Government can implement the World Health Organization’s drowning prevention guidance, and implement the recommendations of the Government commissioned Independent Review of the Legal Responsibility for Beach Safety from 2019. By working together, we can enable everyone to enjoy water safely, free from drowning."
A government spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones in recent tragic incidents. We are grateful to the Mirror for the important work it continues to do raising awareness of water safety through its campaign. As the Prime Minister said this week, there is more that can be done, and with further hot weather expected this summer, we would urge people to remember the dangers of open water swimming and the risk of cold water shock. The National Water Safety Forum has recently published their new Drowning Prevention Strategy and we will continue to engage with their vital work to help keep people safe in and around water."
