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Sister of tragic Leeds River Aire death victim aims to help save other lives
SAFETY CAMPAIGN: Robert Stoners sister Kathryn wants lighting, CCTV and new barriers by the river. PIC: Tony Johnson
The sister of a Leeds man who drowned in the River Aire after a night out in the city centre is set to launch a new waterside safety campaign a year after her brother’s death.
Robert Stoner, 30, from Swarcliffe, fell into the water near Victoria Bridge after leaving a party at a city centre nightclub last February.
His body was discovered at the bottom of the river after a four day search.
Now, as the first anniversary of his death approaches, older sister Kathryn, 38, backed by fellow sibling Carol, 35 and mum Susan, is launching a water safety awareness campaign for revellers.
They are being backed in their efforts by West Yorkshire Police.
Miss Stoner, who lives in the city centre herself, said: “I want to get the message out to people that it’s great to go out into Leeds city centre and enjoy the evening and the nightclubs, but everybody needs to be aware that the body does not function the same [when it’s drunk] as when it’s sober.
“We are campaigning for lighting, CCTV and new barriers because there are blackspots down there.”
Miss Stoner is currently fundraising for a new banner to be placed on the railings at Victoria Bridge, near the stretch of water where Robert died.
She was due to hold a fundraising night at the Star pub in Tong Lane, Armley, today. (February 11)
It will feature an auction and a reggae disco.
Miss Stoner is also auctioning herself off to the highest bidder for a day’s labour.
She is hoping to raise at least £1,000, and proceeds will be split between the banner campaign and Cancer Research UK.
In June last year, Miss Stoner joined police as they held new training sessions for river rescues.
Two other young men – students Matthew Wilcox and Gavin Terry, both 19 – also drowned in the River Aire in 2011 and 2008, bringing the number of similar tragedies to three in as many years.
For more information, or to donate to Miss Stoner’s campaign, call her on 07401 186108.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Mark Paul
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:50 AMWhilst I have upmost sympathy with all the relatives of those lost, I do feel some common sense needs injection in to the debate. Education over responsible drinking would be more likely to save lives, placing barriers over the river will not stop people wandering in to traffic and getting run over, do we have to install barriers over all the roads as well ? and how about re-laying pavements in rubber in case drunks fall and bang their heads ? Surely educating people about the dangers of what can ultimately happen if you drink to excess would have a broader safety message after all this is a common denominator in these river deaths.
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