The parents of a teen who drowned after diving into a reservoir have warned other families about life-taking dangers in our public spaces.
Ben Thomson, 14, died after taking a dip in a reservoir at Paisley’s Gleniffer Braes Country Park and getting into difficulties.
The schoolboy went there to play with friends in July 2018.
Just after the first anniversary of their son’s tragic death, his devastated parents, Sharon and Barry, are tying to help educate others.
Barry, 48, said: “As a family, we want to warn people and make them aware of the dangers involved with water.
“It can be really dangerous. The water may look inviting but it’s not. It’s not always shallow and you’ll never know what’s underneath. It’s not just children, it’s adults, too – especially if people have had a drink. Things can go wrong very quickly.
“Cold water shock can take you away within a split second.”
The couple, from Paisley, are backing a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service initiative urging communities to be aware of the threat in and around Scotland’s waters.
Sharon said: “If we can save one life then we’ve done something right – and we will have saved another family going through what we’ve gone through.”
