A PASSER-BY today told how he risked his own life to try to save a teenager whose canoe had capsized in a reservoir.

Tragically, Mark Boardman could not find Graham Lambert in the deep, murky waters of Spade Mill Reservoir, Longridge, and police recovered his body yesterday.

But the 18-year-old farm worker's family today thanked brave Mark for his efforts in trying to save him.

Engineer Mark, of Pinfold Cottages, Ribchester, was driving to an off licence at about 8pm on Tuesday night when he was flagged down by two youngsters in the road.

He said: "I did an emergency stop and they told me that their friend was in the reservoir. So I jumped over the gate and tried to look for him. I finally saw the canoe upturned in the water.

"I pulled off my top and shoes and dived in. When I got to the canoe I dived under the water but there was no sign of the lad, just his shoes in the bottom of the canoe.

"So I dived in again but there was no sign of him. The water was really cold, deep and very murky, it was frightening. I knew I was risking my own life and there was no way I would find him so I swam back to shore with the canoe.

"I later found out that he had been just feet away from the shore when he slipped underneath the water."

Mark, who works at St Regis Paper Mill, Darwen, used his mobile phone to call the police and the helicopter was scrambled to look for Graham.

Police divers finally found his body at 10.45am yesterday. Floral tributes have been left at the gate to the reservoir which was sealed off by police. One of Graham's three brothers, Stuart, spoke of his family's struggle to come to terms with the tragedy from their home at Higher Road, Longridge.

He said: "Graham wasn't into watersports or anything like that, this was just an accident. We just want to thank everyone who helped and tried to save him."

The reservoir, behind the Corporation Arms, is owned by North West Water and bosses have now renewed their warnings to steer clear of reservoirs.

John Barnes. of North West Water, said: "Reservoirs can seem a fun place to play or swim but in fact they are highly dangerous. I must stress the need for people to heed our warnings and prevent tragedies.

"Reservoirs in use have water drawn from them in pipes under the surface and there are very strong undertows created. Many reservoirs slope very steeply at the sides so that swimmers can find themselves out of their depth before they realise it.

"Also the water immediately below the surface is so cold that you can easily get cramp.

"Our advice is to stay out of reservoirs and we urge parents to warn their children of the dangers."

North West Water is now helping the police with their investigations.

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