THE family of Lancaster teenager Andrew Till who died in the River Lune last week are calling for action to stop such a tragedy happening again. Andrew, 14, drowned in the river while swimming with friends close to the popular picnic spot at the Crook O'Lune near Caton. Now his devastated family, who live on Newsham Road in the city, want signs to be put up at the site telling people not to swim in the river and warning them of the dangers of playing in the water.

His mum, Charleen, said: "I have said to numerous people that there should be something there to warn people. There is an accident there almost every year.

"If it was a road they would put signs up telling people it was an accident blackspot. There's nothing at the place to suggest it is dangerous and people going for a day out wouldn't even notice the one lifebelt that is by the road-side.

"I didn't know that Andrew was down there, he had gone with his mates on a bike ride. I warned him and my two other children about swimming in places like that at the start of the holidays."

The Crook O'Lune picnic site is owned by Lancashire County Council. Cllr David Wood has joined the call for measures to be taken in the area.

In a letter to the county planning officer Graham Bell, he has written: "May I draw to your urgent attention the sad death by drowning of a Lancaster schoolboy at the Crook O'Lune recreation area.

"I am concerned as to not only the adequacy of warning signs regarding the dangers of swimming but also the lack of life-saving cover when the area is used by the public.

"The river at this point is dangerous as I know from personal experience, with deceptively fast running cold water areas together with rock shelves and backwash currents. There is a record of other deaths having occurred in the past.

"While one cannot legislate for all the unforeseen options which arise with warm weather and water, I do feel that as we are encouraging the use of the area as one of public use, then we must as a matter of urgency review all aspects of public safety."

A spokesman for the county council said: "We do not yet know how this tragic accident occurred and we extend our sympathies to the boy's parents. We will consider their request for signs and what action, if any, might need to be taken."

Andrew was a pupil at the Ripley St Thomas school in Lancaster. Deputy headteacher David Charlton said: "The head, staff and fellow pupils of Ripley are deeply saddened by the news of the sudden death of Andrew Till.

"He was a healthy, happy boy who was in year eight at Ripley. He was a talented sportsman who represented the school at both rugby and cricket.

"He was a determined, hard working boy, very well liked and popular among pupils and staff alike. We extend our deepest sympathy to Andrew's family in their loss."

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