3 days ago
Friend of Sutton Park drowning victim urges three changes after new tragedy
The friend of a boy who died 24 years ago in the same lake where a teenager died this week has called for three key changes to keep kids safe.
Ricky O'Neill was friends with Frazer Amiss, a 15-year-old who lost his life in Powell's Pool in Sutton Park on Sunday, July 29, 2001.
Fraser was trying to get to a sea cadet's boat moored in the middle of the pool, when he got into difficulties and drowned.
READ MORE: 'Beautiful grandson' remembered by nan after Sutton Park tragedy
Back then a water rescue team had to come from Nottingham to Sutton Coldfield when the alarm was raised at around 7pm but the teen's body was not recovered until Monday, July 30.
Frazer's friend, Ricky O'Neill said this week's tragedy in Sutton Park was 'history repeating'. Daniel Drewitt, 16, got into difficulties in Powell's Pool, on Thursday night at around 6pm.
The teenager could not be saved and his body was recovered shortly after 10pm.
Ricky said the news 'brought the memories flooding back'.
The 39-year-old lived close to Fraser - Ricky in Eastern Road in Boldmere and Fraser in Highbridge Road.
They both went to John Willmott School, caught the bus together and spent a lot of time at each other's houses.
They also shared the same birthday, August 29.
READ MORE: Boy who died at Sutton Park lake named as school pays tribute
Ricky said: 'Frazer was at my house that day. I remember saying to him 'don't go in the lake'.
'But he went with a friend of ours.
'I had a phone call about Frazer and went to the next-door neighbour and they dropped me down here [at Sutton Park].
'I sat down by the lake for hours and hours.
'Frazer's dad, Darren, went in the water. There were fire officers here too.
'And today is just like that day.'
Ricky continued: 'I saw the news on Friday morning and all the emotions came back.
'Over there where the cows are [the cows were sat by the side of Powell's Pool which the night before would have been within the police cordon], that's where we put the flowers.
'It brought back all the memories.
'I spoke to Darren, Frazer's dad. He wanted me to mention the diving team set up in Frazer's memory but it didn't carry on due to funding. There was a patrol in the summer.
'Today is history repeating.'
READ MORE: Dad whose aunt and friend died at Sutton Coldfield lake calls for action
Ricky, a dad of two with girls aged seven and 12, said: 'Many people have said 'it's brought back memories'.
'As soon as they saw the story of this, they thought of me and the lads and Frazer.
'On the way down here my eyes started going. When I saw the news I cried. It was the pictures of the emergency services.
'Frazer was a top lad. He liked music and boxing – they set up the Frazer Amiss Boxing Club
'It was strange not having him there. What happened to him affected me and motivated me. I want to help people.'
Ricky runs a club called the Bearded Brummies which raises money for charities, particularly for men's mental health charities, and Birmingham MIND.
He said: 'I have broken down lots of times over it. Everyone copes differently. At the time there was no help for us. We were left to ourselves.
'I am now thinking is there anything we can do for the lad's friends. The boy's friends have to stick together and get and take help.
'On my 30th birthday I did a fundraiser for the diving team. For the city the size of Birmingham we haven't got our own search and rescue team.
'The lake has hidden currents, items in there and other things you don't want to come into contact with.'
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Ricky called for three things to happen to help stop future tragedies.
He said: 'Before finishing school for the six-week holidays, teachers should raise awareness of the dangers of being around lakes and water.
'If they are thinking of going in the water, just don't do it. I didn't even go in the sea until four years ago.
'I think they also need to have someone patrol the lake on a hot day and every day in the six-week holiday to make sure people don't go in there.
'A couple of years ago I saw some kids on the boat and told them to get out, which they did.
'And we said years ago that boat needs to be removed. That's what attracts the kids.'
