Memorial unveiled to tragic teen who died of cold water shock in River Wear

A memorial to a County Durham teenager who died in the River Wear while on a day out with friends has been unveiled.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jun 2017, 11:20 BST
Updated 15th Jun 2017, 13:38 BST
Fiona Gosling behind the memorial seat to her son Cameron.Fiona Gosling behind the memorial seat to her son Cameron.
Fiona Gosling behind the memorial seat to her son Cameron.

A seat in memory of 14-year-old Cameron Gosling has been sited beside the skatepark at Glenholme Park in his home town of Crook, where he spent much of his time on his scooter.

The seat has been designed by Cameron’s friends, including his younger brother, working with a local sculptor.

Cameron Gosling, 14, died on cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear. His mum is backing the campaign to prevent the same happening to other youngsters.Cameron Gosling, 14, died on cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear. His mum is backing the campaign to prevent the same happening to other youngsters.
Cameron Gosling, 14, died on cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear. His mum is backing the campaign to prevent the same happening to other youngsters.
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It has been funded by local county councillor Coun Andrea Patterson, chairman of the authority’s 3 Towns Area Action Partnership (AAP), who contributed £3,000 from her neighbourhood budget.

Cameron, a pupil at Parkside Academy at Willington, jumped into the river at Witton Park near Bishop Auckland in July 2015, and the shock of the cold water caused him to get into difficulty and drown.

His friends Ellis Hanley, 15, Matthew Wraith, 14 , Laura Cowan, 15, Liam Walsh, 16, Kian Johnson, 16, and brother Curtis, 14, came up with the idea of a memorial seat at the skatepark.

With the support of Cameron’s mum Fiona, they approached the AAP, which put them in touch with local sculptor Graeme Hopper, who worked with his friends on the seat's design.

Camerons friends and Fiona with 3 Towns AAP co-ordinator Sandy Denney, front left, and sculptor Graeme Hopper, front right. The friends are, from left, Matty Wraith, Kian Johnson, Ellis Hanley, Laura Cowan and Liam Walsh.Camerons friends and Fiona with 3 Towns AAP co-ordinator Sandy Denney, front left, and sculptor Graeme Hopper, front right. The friends are, from left, Matty Wraith, Kian Johnson, Ellis Hanley, Laura Cowan and Liam Walsh.
Camerons friends and Fiona with 3 Towns AAP co-ordinator Sandy Denney, front left, and sculptor Graeme Hopper, front right. The friends are, from left, Matty Wraith, Kian Johnson, Ellis Hanley, Laura Cowan and Liam Walsh.
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The structure has a metal back which incorporates a scooter in its design as well as a pair of boxing gloves, as the sport was another of Cameron’s loves.

Curtis said: “Cameron will never be forgotten, but we thought it would be nice to have some kind of physical memorial to him which we and his friends can visit.

"It’s fitting that the seat should be at the skatepark given how much time Cameron spent there, and the inclusion of the scooter and boxing gloves make it the perfect tribute.

“On behalf of the group I’d like to thank the AAP for making this happen and Graeme, who has done an excellent job.”

Cameron Gosling, 14, died on cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear. His mum is backing the campaign to prevent the same happening to other youngsters.Cameron Gosling, 14, died on cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear. His mum is backing the campaign to prevent the same happening to other youngsters.
Cameron Gosling, 14, died on cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear. His mum is backing the campaign to prevent the same happening to other youngsters.
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AAP coordinator Sandy Denney said: “When we found out what the young people were doing, the partnership was very keen to help.

"The seat is a truly beautiful addition to the park and a credit to the sculptor. Cameron was clearly well loved and we’re pleased to have played a part in setting up this memorial to him.”

Mrs Gosling has worked with the Safe Durham Partnership on its Dying To Ce Cool campaign, which aims to raise awareness of ‘cold water shock’ among 10 to 16-year-olds in the county.

Cold water shock is the body's short-term involuntary response to being suddenly immersed in cold water, which can result in difficulty breathing and cardiac arrest.

Camerons friends and Fiona with 3 Towns AAP co-ordinator Sandy Denney, front left, and sculptor Graeme Hopper, front right. The friends are, from left, Matty Wraith, Kian Johnson, Ellis Hanley, Laura Cowan and Liam Walsh.Camerons friends and Fiona with 3 Towns AAP co-ordinator Sandy Denney, front left, and sculptor Graeme Hopper, front right. The friends are, from left, Matty Wraith, Kian Johnson, Ellis Hanley, Laura Cowan and Liam Walsh.
Camerons friends and Fiona with 3 Towns AAP co-ordinator Sandy Denney, front left, and sculptor Graeme Hopper, front right. The friends are, from left, Matty Wraith, Kian Johnson, Ellis Hanley, Laura Cowan and Liam Walsh.
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The campaign involves school assemblies on cold water shock, which have been delivered to 10,000 children by the county council, while a Dying To Ce Cool video telling Cameron’s story has reached one million people on Facebook.

More information on the Dying To Be Cool campaign is available HERE.

Fiona Gosling behind the memorial seat.

Cameron’s friends and Fiona with 3 Towns AAP co-ordinator Sandy Denney (front left) and sculptor Graeme Hopper (front right.) The friends are left to right: Matty Wraith, Kian Johnson, Ellis Hanley, Laura Cowan and Liam Walsh.

Related topics:County DurhamRiver Wear