Parents’ shock over dead son

Feb 15 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

The scene of the drowning in St Helens

A GRIEVING family whose teenage son drowned in a St Helens lake last night revealed how they thought he was safe at a friend’s house playing computer games.

John Simmons, 15, drowned in a football pitch-sized lake in common land at Thatto Heath, late on Tuesday night, after falling off a makeshift raft.

Heartbroken parents John and Paula Simmons, of Parliament Street, last night spoke of the hole he has left in their lives and their shock he was still playing out at 11.30pm.

“On the night we lost him, we thought he was staying at a friend’s house playing computer games but, as teenagers do, he managed to sneak off and lark about with his pals at a local lake,” they said.

“It was this teenage larking around that cost him his life and has torn the heart out of our family.

“At 15 years old, John’s adult life was just around the corner.”

John was planning on qualifying as a plumber and was eagerly looking forward to starting driving lessons, a family statement said.

John and Paula described their son, a popular Cowley Language College pupil, as a confident boy who could achieve everything he aimed for. Fishing, football and golf figured high in his interests and he was a Liverpool FC fan.

The family also paid tribute to his long-term girlfriend, Jamie, whose grief, they say, is truly deep.

“We gave our son freedom to grow and achieve all he could and he repaid his family and friends with love and friendship,” the family added.

“He was never any trouble, he was never in bother with the police.

“For our son, John, the greatest gifts in life didn’t need to cost the earth because he knew everything he received came with unconditional love from his family.

“As well as two older sisters, John had a younger sister and two younger brothers, the little ones idolised him and they don’t understand where he has gone.”

The family thanked Merseyside Police, Fire and Rescue and the Coroner’s officers for their professional support at a torrid time.

Floral tributes now lie at the head of the lake, known as The Clegg, near Senator Road, marking the spot John died.

Teenage friends and well-wishers have spent the second half of their half-term holidays congregating at the pond.

Neighbours claim polystyrene sheets from new-build homes have been used as rafts for years.

St Helens Council claims to have reported the mess to developers.

richarddown