Father, 86, Dies Trying To Rescue Disabled Daughter From Canal
An 86-year-old man has died while attempting to rescue his disabled daughter from a canal.
Lawrence Casey went into Bude canal in north Cornwall to rescue his daughter Jessica after she suddenly lost control of her mobility scooter and plunged into the water.
The young woman, thought to be in her 20s, was pulled out of the water by members of the public, but Casey was confirmed to have died at the scene.
His family praised members of the public who went to help during the incident on Wednesday afternoon.
“We are deeply shocked of course but I am so incredibly heartened by those who helped,” they said. “[We] would like to express our deep gratitude for all those involved.”Advertisement
They told the BBC that Casey had dedicated his life to Jessica. “He was devoted to the care of his disabled daughter and his final act of love as a father was to sacrifice his life to save hers.”
A Devon and Cornwall police spokeswoman said the emergency services were called at 5.20pm to Bude canal after public concern over the welfare of two people in the water.
“A woman in her 20s was pulled from the water by members of the public and was taken to hospital by land ambulance. A man in his 80s was confirmed deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.”
Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and a file would be prepared for a coroner.
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