by Alan Smith

ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

The parents of drowned teenager Cameron Sandell have called for more safety equipment to be made available along the riverbank.

Speaking this week after the river claimed its third victim in two months, Sue and Peter Sandell, from Hunton, said they were backing a joint police and fire service campaign to make people more aware of the dangers of the river.

'life is completely empty'

cameron sandell would have been 15 on saturday.

his family said his loss had turned their world upside down.

mr sandell said: “i’m not sure we will ever again be able to enjoy the things that we used to like to do with him. life is completely empty.

“we miss him so much. but then we’ve just got to make a go of it because we still have our daughter.”

the family and friends are planning a trip to the coast tomorrow.

mr sandell said: “a day on the beach is exactly the sort of thing that cameron would have wanted to do for his birthday.”

they are planning to release 15 chinese lanterns to mark cameron’s short life.

since cameron’s death, the family have learnt that their son had just been selected for the chief scout’s award.

a long-time member of yalding sea scouts, cameron had recently moved up to the explorers.

mr sandell said: “he would have been so delighted. we are going to the awards ceremony later this month to collect it for him.”

She said: “Being able to swim is paramount. But our son was a very competent swimmer and he still lost his life.

"I’d like to see more warning signs at the danger spots and more safety equipment along the riverbank.

Mr Sandell said: “The water is so inviting to youngsters, especially when it’s hot, but it can be really dangerous.

“There should be safety rings and throw ropes at all the locks, and weirs, and for some yards along the bank in each direction.

"If there had been a throw rope near where Cameron got in trouble, who knows if the many people who tried to help might not have saved him."

Cameron, a pupil at Mascalls School, was canoeing on the Medway at Teston Lock, when he got caught in strong currents in front of the weir.

His canoe capsized and he drowned despite frantic attempts by passers-by to rescue him.

Cameron was wearing all the proper safety gear.

Mr Sandell, 47, said: “He had a helmet, a buoyancy aid and he had been canoeing for four years and had his BCU 2 qualification.

“We were happy for him to be there, because we knew he was fully equipped. Yet he still lost his life."

Mrs Sandell, 45, said: “I hope people will take notice of this campaign and that no other parents will lose their son.”

Did you know Cameron? Post your tribute to him in the comment box below.