River death prompts safety calls

Tributes have been paid to Tony Ballard

A landlord who helped pull three boys from the River Severn on the day their friend drowned said safety near the site needed to to be improved.

Tony Ballard, 17, a vicar's son from Worcester, died as he swam in the river near the city's racecourse on Monday.

Publican Guy Beech, from the Wheatsheaf Pub, said more signs were needed to show where the lifebuoy stations are.

Four people swimming in the river on Wednesday just yards from where Tony died were ordered out by police.

Mourners were also in the area paying their respects to the teenager, a spokesman added.

'Loving teenager'

"This unbelievable behaviour is absolute madness in the light of recent events, particularly as these people are thought to have been aware of the tragedy earlier in the week," they added.

Tony's family have described him as "big-hearted and generous of spirit".

Mr Beech said: "There are lifebuoy stations across the length of the river, but certainly some improved signage might be an area to look at.

"Maybe indicating the direction of the nearest lifebuoy and its distance and certainly some warning signs about the dangers of this area in particular."

Tony's father the Reverend Duncan Ballard, vicar of St Philip and St James' Church in Whittington, and his wife Ellie, said Tony was a "wonderful, loving, normal teenager".

He and his friends had been swimming about 200 yards from the Sabrina footbridge, which links Worcester Racecourse with Hylton Road.