Families bereaved by 18 drowning victims have written an open letter to the Prime Minister, saying “enough is enough.” They have joined forces after the latest tragedy in Shoreham-by-Sea, where a family of four died. A six-year-old girl died days after her 14-year-old sister and their mum and dad lost their lives.
It was at least the 56th drowning this year according to The Mirror’s research. A massive 60 per cent (34 of those victims) were aged 18 and under. The campaign, Save Lives for Sam, was launched after a horrifying spate of drownings in May with 19 people losing their lives in just one week.
Families demand meeting with Prime Minister
The bereaved families want Andy Burnham to meet them and appoint a Water Safety Minister to end this heartbreak. They wrote: “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.
“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…
“We are grateful for your support for the Daily Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam campaign, and for your recent recognition of the urgent need to improve water safety. Your words have given us hope, but they must now be followed by action…”
Families share their stories
The letter was written by Vanessa Abbess for the bereaved families and 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.
Simon Haycock, whose son Sam, aged 16, drowned at Ulley Reservoir in Rotherham on May 5, 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 17-year-old son Joe Abbess drowned in the sea off Bournemouth on May 31, 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.
“It should be remembered that all of those who have tragically drowned are people, being grieved by their loved ones, representing many years of life potential, together with a multitude of unfulfilled hopes and dreams. They all need to be remembered for the amazing people they were and we campaign for them, in their legacy.”
Support from water 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.”
The open letter concludes: “We cannot bring back those we have lost. But, with your help, we can prevent more lives from being lost and more families from experiencing this heartbreak. Please meet with us and help us turn words into action. Yours sincerely, Families bereaved by drowning.”
