Tyneside Dad backs 'Don't Drink and Drown' campaign
Dave Irwin lost his son last Christmas when he fell into a river in Sunderland
Last updated 5th Dec 2017
A Tyneside Dad - whose son died after falling into a river - says a new campaign warning drinkers is so important at this time of year.
Dave Irwin lost his son, Ross, back in December 2016 when he was coming home from a Christmas night out.
It's thought he went through a small gap in a fence by the river bank, because he needed to urinate, and then fell into the river.
His body was found on Christmas Eve.
Dave is backing the national 'Don't Drink and Drown' campaign - it looks to warn those of us drinking this Christmas to stay clear of waterways, and tell friends where we're going.
Dave, an area manager with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:
"We never expected anything like this to happen. It has left us utterly shattered.
"If I can manage to stop this tragedy from ever happening again I am willing to talk about this incident to anybody who is willing to listen."
The campaign has been launched by the Royal Life Saving Society.
They say they're launching it after a string of tragic student drownings, and that one-quarter of all adult drowning victims have alcohol in their bloodstream.