EXCLUSIVE: Family of 16-year-old Loch Lomond victim speak about heartbreak
Connor Markward drowned in Loch Lomond last month.
Last updated 11th Aug 2021
Clyde 1 is exclusively speaking to the family of a teenager from Easterhouse who drowned in Loch Lomond last month.
16-year-old Connor Markward was one of seven people who lost their lives in open water across Scotland over the same weekend.
He was swimming with friends when he got into difficulty.
Police, the fire service, and the coastguard all tried desperately to save him.
His mum, Patsy, says she cannot put into words how difficult the last few weeks have been.
"It hasn't hit me in the way it should have.
"I try really hard not to think about Connor's last moments because it absolutely kills me."
"I didn't even think to warn him about the water"
Connor's older sister, Claire, says she was concerned about him going to Loch Lomond, but the risk of drowning didn't cross her mind.
"The morning he left I warned him not to speak to any strangers and stay away from other large groups who could be dangerous.
"That was my biggest concern because I didn't like him going to busy places where groups of gangs could sometimes be.
"He always said he didn't like the idea of going into lochs and so I didn't even think to warn him about the water."
"He was such a blessing"
The teenager's family say the house is a lot quieter without him as he was bursting with energy and kindness.
Claire added: "He would be the first one to help people in the street with their shopping and he would never leave anybody feeling left out.
"He is giving my mum and PJ the strength to carry on and speak out today and I can't bare being without him.
"He would joke that if anyone ever gave me any hassle then he would come and sort it out.
"He was such a blessing."
"There is a piece of the jigsaw puzzle missing and that is my boy"
Connor's family say they draw on each other for strength and they hope his tragic passing encourages others to be careful around deep open water.
Patsy said: "I know his death will hit me like a tonne of bricks and last week I focused on his funeral because I wanted to give him the best send off possible.
"I have got my other kids to focus on and they keep me going, but I do have my private moments which are really hard."
His dad, PJ, said: "We are a very close family unit, but there is a piece of the jigsaw puzzle missing and that is my boy.
"I had a full jigsaw and now he is missing from it."
"It should be illegal for them to go into this kind of water"
Patsy, PJ and Claire agree that there should be a bigger focus on teaching children to swim at primary school, but warn adults need to be taught the dangers of water too.
Claire added: "It could be the difference between life and death and being taught water safety skills could stop any other family from experiencing what we are going through.
"You get fire safety as well as stranger danger and swimming is just as important.
"It should be against the law to swim in lochs or rivers without the right supervision.
"People shouldn't be allowed to hang about in these places, especially young teenagers who are having a drink and a barbecue, it should be illegal for them to go into this kind of water.
"I think as soon as members of the public are seen getting into deep open water they should be fined or be told to leave."
#GetWaterWise
You can read more about our water safety campaign here:
#GetWaterWise: One third of councils in Scotland don't offer swimming lessons to pupils
GP rescued in Loch Lomond speaks out to raise awareness of dangers
#GetWaterWise: Plea to dial 999 for water incidents - as crews notice increase in uncertainty
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