A Shropshire mother, whose husband tragically drowned after a night out, is now dedicating her life to preventing similar fatalities and building a lasting legacy for their children.
A Night That Ended in Tragedy
Shane Walsh, a father-of-two, died in September 2017 following an evening with friends in Shrewsbury. While walking home, he fell over a low wall and was propelled into the River Severn. The sudden immersion in cold water induced cold water shock, rendering him unable to shout for help or move his limbs to save himself. His body was recovered from the river three days later by West Mercia Search and Rescue.
Turning Grief into Action
Since the devastating loss, Shane's wife, Kirsty, has become a passionate campaigner for water safety awareness. Determined to create something positive from the tragedy, she has become an ambassador for the very charity that helped recover Shane. "Since losing Shane, I have been passionate about creating a legacy for our children, and raising awareness in his memory," Kirsty stated.
This December, she is joining volunteers from West Mercia Search and Rescue every Friday and Saturday evening as part of the Home and Dry Campaign. The initiative, supported by West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, places a visible presence in Shrewsbury town centre to remind the public, particularly those on nights out, to stay away from the water's edge.
A Community Effort to Save Lives
The patrols aim to offer friendly advice and be on hand to assist if anyone gets into difficulty. Mark Eccleston, a volunteer with West Mercia Search and Rescue, emphasised the campaign's goal: "If we can encourage just one person to take extra steps to keep themselves safe, these patrols have been worthwhile."
Inspector Ingrid Tozer from West Mercia Police added: "We want everyone to have a safe and happy Christmas, and we are proud to support Kirsty and the other volunteers... who devote their own time freely to keep others safe."
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has reiterated crucial, life-saving advice for the public:
- Keep away from the water’s edge – slips are easy, especially at night or after drinking.
- Avoid walking home along the river – choose a safer, alternative route.
- If you see someone in trouble, call 999 immediately. Advise them to float on their back and never enter the water yourself.
Kirsty Walsh's mission is a powerful testament to turning personal tragedy into a force for public good. "I am proud to be part of the Home and Dry campaign," she said, "and will keep pushing in order to raise awareness and hopefully prevent future tragedies."
