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Washington, England firefighter who campaigned for water safety retires
A firefighter who has been campaigning for water
safety in memory of his son is retiring after 24 years. Dave Irwin has raised thousands of pounds for
water safety equipment after his son Ross drowned. The firefighter, 50, said he
would never forget the support of his colleagues following the tragic event. Dale
Howey, from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said Dave's legacy
would "continue to save lives for years to come". On 23 December
2016, Dave lost his son Ross when he drowned in the River Wear in Fatfield,
Washington following a night out. It was believed that the 22-year-old lost his
footing on the water's edge along the river bank - after telling friends he was
going to get a taxi home. Dave has been campaigning for water safety in recent
years, raising more than £3,000 for water safety equipment during a sponsored
walk at Scafell Pike in the Lake District. He helped to oversee the
installation of life-saving throwline equipment along the stretch of the River
Wear where Ross lost his life.
BBC World News