A GRIEVING mum whose young son died after getting into difficulty in the River Gryfe has told of her relief now lifebelts have been installed to try to prevent similar tragedies.

Sharron Drennan, 49, was left devastated when her 13-year-old son William McNally lost his life in June.

Linwood High pupil William was swimming with friends on June 2 at a section of the river known locally as the Clay Pitts, near Auchans Farm, Houston, when their fun day out took a tragic twist.

He was pulled from the water and rushed to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children in a critical condition but died three days later.

Four lifebelts have now been installed on poles along the riverbank.

The safety buoys, donated by the Glasgow Humane Society (GHS), also have ropes attached to aid any potential rescue.

Sharron hopes they will lead to further safety initiatives along the River Gryfe and other danger spots.

She told our sister title The Gazette: “I can’t thank the Glasgow Humane Society enough for the work they have done with the lifebelts.

“If they save just one life, I will be happy.

“More needs to be done to improve water safety and these measures should be taken everywhere.

“I would also like to see warning signs to deter people from going into the river.”

Sharron and her 37-year-old sister Jayne are also hoping to get GPS [Global Positioning System] signage on the riverbank with codes that can be given when dialling 999 so the emergency services know where to go.

Glasgow Times: Derek Loughlin with one of the new lifebelts at the River GryfeDerek Loughlin with one of the new lifebelts at the River Gryfe

Jayne, who is a senior social worker, said Renfrewshire Council and local landowners are also working with the Linwood family to further improve safety.

She added: “Each pole is positioned so that no-one should have to run in an emergency to find one.”

Jayne has also raised £1,600 for the GHS.

Derek Loughlin, a director on the GHS board, said: “We’re looking to work with the local council and Houston Community Council to get a water safety group together.

“The Gryfe runs right through Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir and Houston and there have been around half a dozen fatalities over the past 20 years at the river, so we’re hoping to have more lifebelts put out along the river at the hotspots.

“We also hope to get into the schools in the coming months to teach the kids how to throw the ropes and lifebelts correctly.”

William, described as “kind and gentle” by friends and family, was laid to rest at Broomward Cemetery, Elderslie, on June 18.

His parents also decided to donate his organs in the hope they would save the life of another child.

To learn more about water safety, visit www.glasgowhumanesociety.org.uk.