THE FAMILY of Haydn Griffiths reunited with rescuers from the RNLI to share lifesaving advice on World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25).
Sisters Megan and Brogan Griffiths from Lowton, near Wigan, tragically lost their 23-year-old brother Haydn after he drowned following an ill-fated attempt to swim to the wind turbines in Liverpool Bay after entering the water near Derby Pool in New Brighton on Tuesday, July 19, 2022,
Following extensive searches by the RNLI, Haydn’s family, and members of the local community, Haydn’s body was found five days later by the coastguard near the Marina in Crosby.
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Now the sisters are reminding families of the importance of staying safe around the coast as schools break for the summer holidays.
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Megan said: “If it can happen to someone like Haydn it can happen to anyone. He was our gentle giant and had such a kind heart. We all miss him every day but as a family we are determined that we allow our tragedy to help others. That is why we want to encourage everyone out there to stay safe – please listen to the RNLI and visit a lifeguarded beach. Only swim between the red and yellow flags and always tell someone where you are going and when you hope to be back.
“Have these conversations with your family and friends – make sure they know the potential dangers and that they know it can happen to anyone.”
Haydn loved improving his health and fitness and was a strong swimmer having been a member of his local sailing club since he was six years old. He later held a power boat licence and worked on the safety and rescue boat for open water swimming. Haydn was also selected to train on the GBR national sailing squad and his name appears on a competition trophy along with Ben Ainslie.
New figures released on World Drowning Prevention Day by the charity show their lifeguards attended more than 10,000 incidents on beaches aiding 13,758 people from July 25 to September 2 last year. In the North West, RNLI lifeguards aided 722 people during the summer months, 283 were children
Megan added: “We are so grateful to the hardworking volunteer RNLI crews at New Brighton and Hoylake for searching for Haydn and giving him the best possible chance and for supporting our family since.”
Megan and Brogan have helped the RNLI through fundraising including raising more than £1,000 by carrying out the charity’s Mayday Mile initiative. They have launched their own campaign ‘Stay safe for Haydn’.
Connor Wray, an RNLI volunteer at New Brighton who helped in the search for Haydn, said: “I remember the tasking vividly as it was my first call out as an RNLI volunteer, the light was just fading and there was real sense of urgency, when you hear someone is in the water there is no time to spare. We searched extensively that night alongside many other agencies. As time went on, you start to fear the worst and there was a sense of dread that we could be facing the outcome nobody wanted.
“It does have an impact on the crew when you can’t return a loved one to a family, but this is nothing in comparison to the heartbreak Haydn’s family were facing. The strength and resilience they have shown in his memory is incredible. Meeting them today is so very humbling and the fact they are using Haydn’s memory to make a positive difference and prevent others suffering like they have really is a testament to their courage as a family.”
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