Brian Sasu: Family's plea after 'aspiring footballer', 14, died after jumping into river
Tap above to watch video report by Daniel Henry
The family of a teenage boy who tragically drowned last year have urged councils to prevent any more deaths this summer.
Brian Sasu was just 14-years-old when he went to a popular swimming spot with his friends at Tagg's Island in Richmond after he jumped into the water and went missing.
His body was found the next day. West London Coroner’s Court heard there were no clear warning signs or safety equipment in the area where Brian jumped in.
This week marked World Drowning Prevention Day and was a year on from the tragic passing of 14-year-old Brian Sasu who drowned at Tagg’s Island in Richmond.
A throwline board has since been installed in his memory along with clearer warning signs. His family and the LFB now want appropriate safety measures in place by all London waterways to minimise the chances of a repeat event.
Last year, the LFB were called to twice as many incidents where a person drowned, compared to 2021. Station Commander Stephen McGie said: “Following Brian jumping off the bridge, he did not resurface.”
Brian’s father George said: “Brian was a lovely teenage boy, an aspiring footballer, but now we’ll never know if that could have ever happened. Last year, Brian and I left the house going to school as usual.
“On the way we were talking about how Brian said he was going to pick up his little brother. Around 12:30pm, I rang him because his school finished early, and he told me he was going to go out with his mates. I told him I would get his brother, so he just needed to go back home.
He added: “I called his phone, but he wasn’t answering and before I knew it, the police were knocking on my door telling me that my son had gone into the river.
“I want to tell parents to talk to their children about the dangers of open waters so that what happened to Brian won’t happen to their own children. If they’re spending time near the riverside with the warmer weather, please tell them not to jump in because it’s so dangerous.”
To mark WDPD, the LFB today held a water safety event at Teddington Lock. There it encouraged members of the public to learn how to use public rescue equipment.
It also shared crucial water safety advice alongside partners including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Richmond Council and the Metropolitan Police.
According to the LFB's website, there are a number of things you should do if you see someone fall into the water. The first is to dial 999 and ask for the LFB - and if on the Thames, the coastguard as well.
If you don’t have a mobile handy, shout to raise the alarm, or go and get help. Try to give an exact location of where you are.
Look around for any landmarks such as bridges which often have numbers on them which can identify their position. If a person is in trouble, keep talking to them, encourage them to stay calm and float on their back.
Keep your eyes on the spot where you last saw them so you can tell the emergency services when they arrive. If there is life saving equipment such as a lifebuoy or a throwline nearby throw it to them. If not, throw anything that will float.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has also issued guidance on what to do if you fall into water, and it's very simple: you must float. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and normalise your breathing, followed by moving your hands to help you stay afloat.
"Remember it's okay if your legs sink, and spreading your arms and legs improves stability" the RNLI said.
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