Bereaved father calls on schools to support water safety message

Alex Crook was only 15 when he lost his life in a lake in Wigan, believing the water was safe during warm weather in September 2024. While he initially went in up to his waist, the lake became unexpectedly deeper in the area he walked into and Alex went under the surface.

The lake, known as Scotsman’s Flash, had no safety equipment or signage, and while one of Alex’s friends and passers-by tried desperately to help, tragically Alex died.

Now, his father Neil is dedicating himself to campaigning on water safety, and has urged schools to help protect children from the dangers of the water in every way possible.

As well as helping to educate young people about the dangers of water in all seasons, Neil is also supporting the recommendations of the Coroner at Alex’s inquest in ensuring every primary school in the country delivers swimming lessons to their pupils.

While it is part of the school curriculum, not all schools adhere to their duty to offer swimming lessons. Alex did not receive school swimming lessons and could not swim.

“The danger of the water is there all the time – whether it’s during warm weather when kids are playing in it, or when it’s frozen and looks safe to walk on. Children need to understand how important it is to keep well away,” says Neil, from Wigan.

“Schools can really help to promote this. It doesn’t need to cost a lot or involve a lot of effort, it’s just about making children aware, reminding them of the dangers as many times as we can. There are better and safer places to go and play.

“You have no idea what lies beneath the surface of the water. While school swimming lessons are great and will undoubtedly help children to be safe, in outdoor water you just don’t realise the dangers. If all of a sudden you’re plunged into deep or icy water, the cold water can paralyse the whole body and the worst case scenario can become reality.

“We will never get over losing Alex and we don’t want another family to have to go through this pain. Through helping to campaign for water safety, we will hopefully save lives in the future.”

Neil and his family are now fundraising for £10,000 to help to raise funds for warning signs and lifesaving equipment for use in Wigan and further afield.

“We know councils don’t have limitless budgets, but that is no excuse not to have the correct safety equipment in place. Hopefully if we can help to raise some money specifically for things that will save lives in the water, this will make it something they will be much more inclined to do,” says Neil.

The Crook family are being supported by law firm Slater and Gordon in finding answers over Alex’s death and why no safety equipment or signs were present.

Samantha Williams, senior associate at Slater and Gordon, says: “The loss of Alex has absolutely devastated his family and understandably they have questions as to why there were no signs to tell Alex and his friends not to enter the water, and why there was no lifesaving equipment available for when the worst did happen.

“In Alex’s memory, they are now tirelessly campaigning for greater awareness of the dangers that exist in open water, which many children just don’t realise. Education lies at the root of this positive change and we absolutely support Neil in his efforts to speak out in the hope of saving other lives.”

To support Neil’s fundraising efforts, visit here.