Mother backs river safety plea

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A river safety campaign has been launched - with the backing of the mother of a young girl who drowned.

Zoe Skea, 10, died when she fell in water near Braemar last year.

Grampian Police launched the campaign at the River Dee near Banchory, where two other 10-year-old schoolgirls were rescued recently.

Zoe's mother Jill Skea features on a campaign poster where she says: "I wouldn't wish the events that followed on anyone."

Grampian Police receive regular calls regarding unmanned canoes and rafts on rivers and this is very concerning Pc Andy CruickshankGrampian Police

Mrs Skea said of the family day out that turned to tragedy: "The lives of our family and friends have been changed forever.

"All I can do is live with this empty feeling and wonder how things would be if she was still here."

Zoe, of Aberdeen, drowned after she fell into the fast-flowing water at the Linn of Quoich near Mar Lodge in May last year. She was described as a "special" girl.

The new campaign focuses on the River Dee which is a popular venue for sporting and leisure activities but over the years has claimed many lives, according to police.

As recently as May - the anniversary of Zoe's death - two 10-year-old girls were rescued from the river by local hotelier Marcus Jaffrey and ghillie Walter Rait.

'Very responsible'

They went to their aid after they got into difficulties whilst surfing the river on improvised rafts.

Banchory's community police officer, Pc Andy Cruickshank, said local beauty spots could be hiding lethal traps.

Zoe died at Linn of Quoich near Braemar in May last year

He said: "Many people carry out legitimate sporting and leisure pursuits and are very responsible.

"However Grampian Police receive regular calls regarding unmanned canoes and rafts on rivers and this is very concerning.

"The bridges over the River Dee have frequently been used by persons jumping into the water, an activity which can be very dangerous due to strong currents and rocks and which has led to people being seriously injured in the past."

He added: "The initiative is not only about safety, in recent years there has been an increase in rough camping by the water edge which has impacted on wildlife and the environment and we are hoping to raise awareness of the dangers and other issues associated with the river."

The campaign centres around a new leaflet and poster highlighting the need to act sensibly around the river.

It is backed by Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, who now train in river rescue, the Community Safety Partnership and The River Dee Trust.