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'It was my darkest chapter but she changed my world'

Rebecca Harper,BBC Midlands Todayand
Oprah Flash,West Midlands
News imageBBC Kirsty Walsh - The image shows a woman seated indoors against a backdrop of wooden shelving units. The shelves are filled with a mix of books, decorative items, and small ornaments. Some of the items include stacked books, a ceramic jug, a small vase, and a tall lattice-style decorative object. The woman is wearing a light brown or camel-coloured coat over a patterned top featuring black and pale shapes. BBC
Kirsty Walsh said her family liaison officer from the police helped her to cope after her husband's death

"It was the darkest chapter of my life and she changed my world."

Kirsty Walsh remembers that time, as she casts her mind back nine years ago to when her husband died, after he had been rescued from the River Severn.

Shane Walsh, a father-of-two, fell in the water in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, after he had been out drinking that night in 2017.

"The days that followed were filled with fear, confusion and unimaginable heartache," recalled Kirsty Walsh, after the 29-year-old's death.

But the one person who gave her "warmth when everything felt cold", was her police's family liaison officer, Andrea Marston, who supported her at the time and who she was reunited with.

"She changed my world. They were the darkest days, it was the darkest chapters of my life," Walsh told the BBC.

News imageKirsty Walsh A woman and a man in a selfie. The woman has long brown hair and is wearing a red long-sleeved top under a black gilet. The man is wearing a black hoodie with a large white logo on it, and a black cap with white writing on itKirsty Walsh
Shane Walsh died in 2017 after falling into the River Severn in Shrewsbury

"Andrea and I were on scene when Shane was located and I'd said to her 'I just don't want to be here when they bring him out'," Kirsty Walsh said.

"I knew he was in the water. I knew that would be the only reason why he didn't come home to me.

"Andrea, throughout the process, was there every single step of the way."

The grieving wife went on to become ambassador for the West Mercia Search and Rescue organisation.

That group helps in searches for missing people as well as during floods and with water rescues.

Every Friday and Saturday throughout December, Walsh joined the charity as its home and dry patrols encouraged people to stay away from the river.

News imageThe image shows a woman seated indoors in front of a large wooden shelving unit. The shelves are arranged in a grid pattern and contain a mixture of books, decorative ornaments, small vases, framed pictures, and plants. The person is wearing a light, textured button‑up jacket in a muted pink shade over a patterned top with black and white markings. A small clip‑on microphone is attached to the jacket
Andrea Marston said she was emotional to hear of her effect on Walsh, following her husband's death

From her point of view, Marston said she saw her role with West Mercia Police as just going and doing her job.

"I never thought that I would have that impact on somebody," she said.

"As a cop, you go to work and have the unexpected everyday.

"You deal with situations that are not very nice, you deal with situations where you can go home and think 'I've made a difference'.

"When I was made aware of what Kirsty had said about me, it did touch a nerve where I was a little bit emotional."

News imageThe photo shows two women seated at a small round wooden table inside what appears to be a cosy café or coffee shop. The table has a rustic, worn texture and holds two cups of coffee, a small jar of sugar, a salt and pepper set, and a wooden table marker with the number 21. Behind them is a large wooden shelving unit that fills the background. The shelves contain a mix of books, framed pictures, small decorative vases, plants, and ornaments arranged in a casual, homely style.
The pair were reunited and had the chance to relive the moment from nine years ago

As the two met face-to-face, Walsh told the family liaison officer: "I'm truly thankful for everything you did.

"You showed me such compassion and understanding and reassurance.

"You enabled me to take a step at a time navigating the hardest journey of my life and there's nothing that I could ever say or do to truly show you how you thankful and appreciative I am."

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