Two parents who lost their children in drowning accidents have joined forces to try to prevent further needless deaths.

Neil Crook, who lost his 15-year-old son Alex in Wigan in September, works with Beckie Ramsay, whose 13-year-old son Dylan died in Chorley in 2011.

They recently met at Scotman’s Flash, where Alex – who couldn’t swim – drowned in deep water.

Mr Crook said he wanted more schools to offer swimming lessons for families who couldn’t afford them.

Since Alex’s death on September 7, Mr Crook has launched his Awareness for Alex campaign about the dangers of open water and to raise funds for warning signs and lifesaving equipment.

Mrs Ramsay, who lost her son Dylan when he drowned in the Hill Top Quarry in Whittle-le-Woods in 2011, won the campaign to have water safety added to the national curriculum in 2023 and was awarded a British Empire Medal as recognition of his work. .

She said it was “a disgrace” there was no signage or lighting at Scotman’s Flash.

“There were no signs and no lighting, and the water is so inviting in the summer months.”

Mr Crook said Alex and his friends stood in waist-high water before moving to a part of the lake that dropped off steeply.

He said there were no warning signs and no rescue equipment in the area where Alex was pulled from the water.

Mr Cook, 45, said he and his family wanted to spare other families the pain they had to endure.

He said “our world has been turned upside down” by the death of Alex, who had just been appointed school prefect.

“We are busy starting our campaign,” he said.

“We’re focused on that and we’re determined to make it safer – not just at Scotsman’s Flash, but anywhere on open water.”

He said: “Scotsman’s Flash is our first port of call, but we’re not stopping there.

“We don’t want any other family to go through what we’re going to continue to go through.”

“Prevent tragedies”

Wigan Council said it was looking at additional safety measures at the site.

A spokesman said: “Following the devastating incident at Scotman’s Flash, Wigan Council has worked closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and other partners through our Water Safety Partnership to review additional safety measures at the the place.

“The safety of the public is always our top priority and we continue to meet with Alex’s family as we explore all options to prevent similar tragedies in the future, either through education or future improvements to the nature reserve.”

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