The parents of a man who died after accidentally falling in the Clyde have donated water safety signs to a country park where a teenager drowned earlier this year.
Duncan and Margaret Spiers, from Balornock, have been campaigning to promote water safety following the death of their 28-year-old son Christopher in 2016.
On Wednesday, they handed in water safety signs to Mugdock Country Park, near Milngavie, where 18-year-old Jordan Goodwin drowned in March.
Jordan, from Hamilton, passed away at Mugdock Country Park on March 19.
Jordan’s cousin, Thomas Millan from Barrhead, had described him as “full of carry on” and “just so kind”, and had called Rangers supporters to take part in a minute's applause during a match, as a tribute to the young fan.
“We’ve been doing this a long time, it’s keeping us going and keeping Christopher’s memory alive and trying to save lives, this is what this is all about,” said Duncan.
“It’s been six hard years and because he died, I don’t want him to die in vain.
“I just wish people would take note, look at signs, and take care in the water, because water can kill.”
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In January 2016, Christopher was making his way home alone to his partner David’s home in Kinning Park after a night out, when he found the Tradeston Bridge taped off due to an unsafe building in the area.
Christopher, however, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, continued down to the water’s edge where he slipped under stormy conditions.
A lifebelt was thrown in by police officers, however, because it wasn't attached to a rope they couldn't have a second attempt when the first failed to reach him.
Following the campaign by the Spiers family, hundreds of ropes have been added to lifebelts up and down the river, which, Duncan said, saved ten lives so far.
The pair are now pushing for the measure to be rolled out across Scotland.
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“We’d like to see more water safety information around," the 57-year-old said.
“At Mugdock Country Park, there were some warning signs up on fences not to enter the water but nothing else.
“Our signs read ‘danger, water can kill’, and we are hoping this will raise awareness of the risks of entering water, especially cold water shock.
“We also got lifebelts and warning signs around Hogganfield Loch, and some signs are also to go up at Springburn Park.
“We contacted Nicola Sturgeon about water safety and spoke to the community minister, Ash Regan, about the campaign and they took note of everything that we’re doing and the Scottish Government drew up an action plan.
“We also met up with Loch Lomond National Park about the ropes so we’re hoping they will take this up as well.
“We’re happy with the progress we made so far, it’s slow but steady. It obviously takes a long time, there’s a lot of hoops and red tape to get through, but we’re trying to get that barrier down as quickly as possible to spread more awareness for everybody.”
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