IN AN attempt to reduce drownings in the Thames, Oxford City Council has launched the campaign Respect for Wild Water, which it hopes will reduce the number of deaths in the river and its tributaries.
There have been six deaths in the rivers within the past two years, with the last one being that of 13 years old Aown Dogar, who drowned near Donnington Bridge after being swept downstream. Before this is was 16 years old Ellis Downs who died in the river after getting into trouble in the cold water, Alan Tilbury tells us.
Warn others
His father Darren Downs told the Oxford Mail of his 'devastating shock' at what happened and he hopes his family's loss will warn others of the dangers of swimming in rivers, and how dangerous is the low water temperature and the deceptive depth of the water.
Respect for Wild Water is a campaign in conjunction with the county council, the fire service and the police, and will attempt to warn young people with little experience in swimming in rivers how dangerous it can be.