Megan Griffith’s moving tribute to Daniel Halliday two years after brother’s death

The sister of Haydn Griffiths has paid sad tribute to the family of Daniel Halliday whose body was found off the Merseyside coast earlier this month. Haydn Griffiths from Lowton was reported missing after swimming in the River Mersey on July 19, 2022 – one of the hottest days of the year.

His body was found by an RNLI crew in the water near Crosby five days later on July 24. The 23-year-old was an accomplished swimmer with his sister Megan Griffiths campaigning tirelessly to raise awareness of open water safety working alongside him. RNLI to educate people about the dangers of water.

He has now paid tribute to Daniel Halliday and sent a message to the 14-year-old’s family after he went missing on Sunday June 30 after going into the water at Crosby Beach. Daniel was surfing with his older brother before he got into trouble. A large wave apparently swept him off his feet, and although Daniel’s brother tried to save him, he was unable to reach him.

On the evening of July 8, the body of a boy was discovered by HM Coastguard in the river at New Brighton. Speaking to the ECHO on World Drowning Day earlier this week, Megan explained the risks of going into open water and paid tribute to the teenager.

She said: “Look at Daniel Halliday, he knew the water, he was a local boy. It was the same place and it’s horrible to think that another family will have to go through what we had to go through. It is so sad. , he was so young, and I’m thinking of his family as they go through this tragedy.”

This week marked two years since Haydn was found in the River Mersey, with his sister speaking emotionally of what it was like for her and her family when her brother was recovered just days after his birthday. She said: “It’s been a very emotional week, we’ve had a lot of meaningful days.

“We’ve had the day he went missing, his day and the day his body was found. We’re trying to do positive things in his memory and we’re working with the RNLI, but it’s hard. It’s that realization that we can’t make memories with him anymore. it really hurts and knowing it’s happening to other families, it’s horrible.”

Megan, along with her sister Brogan and the rest of her family, has been working closely with the RNLI to educate people about the open waters. Ross MacLeod, water safety promotion and public affairs manager at the RNLI, told the ECHO ahead of World Drowning Day: “Lifeboat crews are largely a voluntary service and do an incredible job saving strangers and this as a charity that I always went without judgment and understood that accidents happen.

“We’re very keen to try to prevent these accidents if we look at it from the perspective of the family involved, we’d rather not go out and save people.

“The crew in particular are very passionate about it, so in any initiative in the local area you will find the lifeboat crew getting behind and hopefully bringing the local community together as much as possible, particularly when there have been tragedies. I have been in the Merseyside area for the past few years. I hope it can be a positive legacy that comes from a tragic event.

The RNLI has issued guidance for those who choose to venture into open water. His website said:

• Be prepared. Check the weather and tides, pick your spot, go with a friend, have the right gear.
• If in doubt, don’t go out. No matter how much training you do or how experienced you are, if a swim doesn’t feel right, there’s no shame in getting out of the water right away or not getting in.
• Be sure to acclimatize to avoid cold water shock.
• To be seen. Wear a colorful swim cap and take a tow float.
• Stay in your depths.
• Float to live.
• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency.