Fisherman dies trying to save his dinghy

Dec 14 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

AN ANGLER died trying to rescue his boat after it was blown out to sea by a freak gust of wind.

Eddie Lewis, whose family is originally from Liverpool, swam out into dangerously cold waters after his 14ft Avon dinghy slipped away while he was trying to launch it from the beach at Prestatyn, North Wales.

A rescue operation was launched after locals spotted the 66-year-old in trouble yesterday morning.

One onlooker swam out in an attempt to rescue Mr Lewis, before emergency services pulled him out unconscious.

But the waters were so cold experts said there was only a 50% chance of anyone surviving, and Mr Lewis, who had five children and 14 grandchildren, died on the beach.

His daughter, Joanne Griffiths, 40, was at her father’s side.

His family lived for many years in the Old Swan and Stoneycroft areas of Liverpool.