County Durham mum who lost son, 14, in river tragedy re-issues water safety plea
The mum of a County Durham teenager who lost his life in a river tragedy has reissued an urgent warning about water safety following the death of a man in the River Tees.
The death of 20-year-old Jacob Rutkowski from Darlington on Friday (June 20) has reminded mum-of-four Fiona Gosling from Crook of her own heartbreak.
Fiona's son Cameron was just 14-years-old when he jumped into the River Wear near Bishop Auckland on July 5, 2015, unaware of any risks he would face in the water.
Cameron Gosling, 14. Cameron's heart stopped beating when he entered the river, because he had not acclimatised to the temperature and he died of what is known as cold water shock.
Since his passing, Fiona has used Cameron's story to educate thousands of children about water safety - but has admitted that this latest incident in Gainford, near Darlington, has reminded her of her own grief.
Fiona told The Northern Echo: "I saw the story online yesterday when it all started to evolve, and watched it happen. I tend to do that if something big is going on.
"Then, it was about 10.55pm when I saw the post go up from police saying they had found a body."
Mother Fiona and son Cyle Gosling who campaign for Cold Water safety. She added: "As soon as you hear about anything like this, it takes you right back to where you were when it happened to you.
"It makes me sit down and go through all of Cameron's things and I'll go on my social media page to see if there is anything I can share.
"But it is hard - it's really hard."
News first broke of an incident in Gainford yesterday when the air ambulance, mountain rescue crews, police helicopter, paramedics and fire crews all rushed to the rural village at about 2.30pm.
LIVE: Tributes paid to Jacob Rutkowski after River Tees tragedy - updates
Police cordoned off an area where ambulance incident response teams and the fire service water unit parked up, blocking access to the river banks after reports of concerns for a man in the river.
Fiona Gosling delivering a school assembly. Tragically, Durham Police later confirmed that they had found a body in the river.
Tributes have since been paid to Jacob Rutkowski; described as a "beautiful soul" as his family try to raise funds to pay for his send off.
But this latest tragedy has made Fiona, 48, worry that her pleas to stay safe in the water are going unheard.
She added: "I do tend to just sit back and think, have we missed something? You do tend to feel a little bit guilty and think: 'is your message not getting out to the right people?'"?
"This is something that can be avoided. As soon as the heatwaves start, I can just sense what is going to happen.
"I always think that it's going to be a very long few months and we'll see so many tragedies not only with youngsters but people in general who aren't aware of what is going on around them in the water."
Cameron Gosling, 14. Fiona then re-issued a plea to anyone thinking of taking a dip to cool down this summer - regardless of their age or experience in the water.
She said: "Know your points of entry and points of exit - and never go swimming on your own. If you are swimming and you feel something isn't right, you know your own body.
Read more:
Rivers deaths fall after campaign in memory of teenager Cameron Gosling
Mum honoured for water safety campaign after death of son Cameron Gosling
Mum warns schoolchildren of cold water shock on anniversary of her son Cameron Gosling's tragic river death
Young footballers' tribute to Cameron Gosling
Friends of river tragedy teenager Cameron Gosling make hard hitting water safety campaign video
"I would love to say to people 'don't go in the water', but we live in a country that is surrounded by water. I do want to stay away, but I know that's never going to happen.
"The water is going to be cold - just because we have hot weather does not mean the water is going to be warm.
"Watch out for everyone around you. Be aware that water does not discriminate.
"It will take old, young, swimmer, non-swimmer - it does not care. You have to be really careful."
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