Brighton man launches water safety film to honour father who drowned

Robbie Jones said: "Dads die, but they aren't meant to drown, and not so young"

The son of a man who drowned attempting to rescue their family dog has launched a water safety film on the third anniversary of his father's death.

Robbie Jones, 27, worked with the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) to talk about losing his father in hope of reducing water related incidents.

"It is my way of honouring him," Mr Jones said.

Gareth Jones, 69, was reported missing on 16 January 2021, after not returning from a walk in Hove, East Sussex.

Hundreds of local people joined emergency services to search for Gareth and Connie, the family cockapoo.

Connie was found dead on Brighton Beach on 18 January, the father-of-three's body was found at Tide Mills, near Newhaven, the following day.

'Important I do it'

The safety film was created in the hopes of educating people about the dangers of open water and bad weather, by talking about the impact Gareth's death had on those left behind.

Mr Jones explained: "I don't want anyone else to ever have to go through that and if talking about it can help, then it is important I do it."

"I lost my rock that night, at just 24-years-old I lost the guy I could talk to about anything and get crucial life advice. My dad was everything to me and to our family," Mr Jones added.

The safety film was made by NWSF, HM Coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Dawn Whittaker, NWSF chair and ESFRS officer, said: "We hope the film will encourage people to have conversations around water safety and share advice."

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