The heartbroken dad of a Glasgow man who died after falling in the River Clyde has pleaded with vandals to stop destroying lifebelts before another person dies. Christopher Spiers drowned after slipping and falling into the river after a night out in Glasgow in January 2016.
A lifebelt was thrown in the water to attempt to help the 28-year-old get out, however it did not reach him and there were no ropes attached to have another throw. The tragedy prompted parents Duncan and Margaret to launch a safety campaign to install lifebelts with ropes attached, so they can be retrieved if throws are unsuccessful.
However we reported earlier today around 800 lifebelts and ropes are broken or stolen by vandals each year. Duncan, from Glasgow, told the Record he remains angry people find it acceptable to tamper with the devices.
He said: "We live with this grief every single day. We are absolutely devastated by what happened to Christopher and don't want another family going through what we have.
"I wish the person or the people that are vandalising the ropes and the lifebelts would stop because we need safety at the Clydeside. The water is dangerous and people need to be aware of this."
Christopher is believed to have climbed a fence at the Tradeston Bridge in an attempt to make his way home. A section of the bridge was closed off at the time due to part of a nearby building collapsing in a storm.
If rope had been attached to the ring at the time of the accident, Duncan believes his 'cracking son who always had the biggest smile on his face' might still be alive.
He added: "This wasn't available at the time and the belt wasn't enough to save Christopher. If it had been, maybe he would still be here today.
"This is something we will never know. We hope that by campaigning to now have rope on all lifebelts will save people who find themselves in trouble in the water. It will certainly give them a better chance at survival.
"We miss him dearly everyday. It's been almost nine years, but I still sit in the house waiting for him to walk through the door. It doesn't feel real. I just really hope he's proud of what we are doing in his memory."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Following Duncan and Margaret's successful campaign, yellow, orange and purple ropes were added to city centre life belts in 2021. Adding ropes makes them easier to use in emergency situations and increases life saving potential.
The Glasgow Humane Society (GHS), the world's oldest lifesaving charity, has now launched their 'Don't let the Clyde ruin Christmas' campaign.
Duncan Evans, GHS chairman, said: ‘Christmas is the time of year when everyone should be celebrating and enjoying themselves. The city’s rivers are fantastic to look at and a huge part of the city’s history and culture.
"But if anyone enters the water, especially after a few drinks, then the sudden cold can shock them into not being able to move, usually with tragic consequences.
"The point of our campaign is to help make the people of Glasgow and visitors know how danger the Clyde can be. You won't be able to swim to save yourself before the shock of the cold water takes your breath away."
He warned removing riverside lifebelts could result in a "fatal outcome" for anyone in trouble in the water, adding: "We have rings all the way along the Clyde that we encourage people to know where they are and how they work so they can help save someone who has ended up in the water, for whatever reason that may be.
"These rings are being tampered with daily. It's vandalism, sometimes it's theft or people even take them away to have them in their house as a nice feature but mainly they get thrown into the water. Once they are removed from the pole they are completely useless and god forbid someone could be in need of that lifesaving ring and it's gone."
To donate to the Glasgow Humane Society, click here.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
