Life-saving Shrewsbury river throw line unveiled by widow Kirsty - with video

In a joint move involving the fire service, police, councils and The Samaritans, specially designed display boards featuring pictorial instructions on how to use the throw lines are being erected at the four riverside locations that have seen the highest number of drownings, suicides and suicide attempts.

The first throw line board was unveiled by Mrs Walsh whose husband, Shane, was found in the river close to the Quantum Leap sculpture. The board carries an inscription dedicating it to Mr Walsh, who went missing 12 months ago during a night out in the town centre.

Since his death, Mrs Walsh has been appointed an ambassador to the West Mercia Search & Rescue team (WMSAR) and has campaigned tirelessly for improved water safety measures and promoted greater awareness of the dangers posed by rivers and open water.

Her work with WMSAR is something she believes her husband would have been proud of and which she has carefully catalogued for the couple's young children, Corey and Adalynn.

“I am so pleased and proud that so much positive good has been achieved as a result of Shane’s death and these throw line boards are another big step forward in making the river safer for everyone,” she said.

"He had my back and I had his. He would have done the same for me. I have kept every cutting about Shane and what has happened since, in a special book for the children so they can learn about the difference their dad has made."

Shane, 29, was seen on September 4, 2017, at 3am after visiting the Fever & Boutique Nightclub on Hills Lane.

He had spent the evening at a family party in Church Stretton before returning to Shrewsbury.

For three days, specialist search teams scoured the river for any sign before discovering his body in the river close to the town centre.

Following his death, moves have been made to improve safety on the river close to Shrewsbury's nightclubs and bars.

Three other throw lines boards will be sited at Victoria Avenue in the Quarry, the Greyfriars footbridge and the weir at Castlefields.

The throw lines project follows a drive by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) for similar boards to be installed at drowning hotspots across the UK.

James Bainbridge, Shropshire Fire & Rescue’s prevention team manager, says the boards will provide passers-by with a means of helping someone in the water without risking their own lives by getting into the water themselves.

“The boards are uniquely numbered and that will help identify the exact location of an incident very quickly,” Mr Bainbridge said.

The throw lines are protected by a combination lock and to get access to the throw line users have to dial 999 and give the postcode in order to get the lock combination.

“It should only take a few seconds for a caller to dial 999, get the lock combination and use the throw line and while they do that fire crews will be on their way to the scene,” James Bainbridge added.

The multi-agency project has brought together a range of organisations including Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire Council.

Lianne Deathridge, a member of Shropshire Council’s emergency planning team, described the throw lines project as “a really positive move” and added: “The longest river in the country runs through the centre of Shrewsbury and that poses a risk that these throw lines should help to reduce.”

Shrewsbury Town Council clerk Helen Ball also welcomed the move. She said: “The town council is pleased to be involved in a project that we believe could save lives.”