Production starts on Think, Don’t Swim campaign film

Film-maker Christopher David, boss of York-based, award-winning Flash Frame Productions, has agreed to make the short film in a bid to raise awareness of the risks of falling or jumping into the city’s rivers.

He has already filmed an interview with Vicki and Abbi Horrocks, the mother and sister of Richard Horrocks, a 21-year-old bartender who drowned after leaping off a balcony over the Ouse following his last shift at a riverside bar in July.

Richard was the third person to die in York’s rivers so far this year. Vicki and Abbi spoke of the trauma suffered by their family since his death.

Ian Gillies, a York councillor, was also interviewed about his experiences many years ago when he was a coroners’ officer in York.

He spoke graphically about the recovery of bodies from the water and also about having to tell families that their loved ones had drowned.

Former firefighter Steve Fila, now director of technical services at Commercial Diving and Marine Services, of Appleton Roebuck, also spoke graphically of the horrendous consequences when a body had been in the water over a period of time, and of his experiences of having to search in poor visibility for victims.

He also warned of the many dangers hidden just below the surface that could catch any swimmer unaware.

All the interviewees said they were happy to assist if it meant it might help prevent further tragedies.

The interviews were conducted in the sombre setting of a funeral parlour in Bishophill, provided by Cooperative Funeralcare, whose regional manager, Phil Barr, said: “Many young lives have been needlessly lost. I am hopeful that this campaign will reach young people and make a difference.

“It is vital that we do all we can to prevent any further tragedies and we are pleased to support this important campaign.”

Mr David said a coffin being visible in the interview was a powerful metaphor – a symbol.

“Strangers brought together in the most dreadful of circumstances are united by the one thing they have in common – by the coffin and its contents,” he said.

Filming has now switched to a short fictional dramatisation about a young man who decides to go skinny dipping in the Ouse, with tragic consequences.

Students and former students from York St John University, where Richard was previously a student, have agreed to act in the film.

Director wept as he ‘shared mother’s grief’

FILM-MAKER Christopher David has told why he agreed to become involved in the Press Think, Don’t Swim campaign – and revealed how it has already moved him to tears.

Mr David, who has won 22 national and international awards for his films, said he had two children of his own, and could not imagine the pain and suffering any family must feel when they lost a loved one so tragically.

“As a cameraman and director I’ve seen many things, but while we were filming Vicki Horrocks I wept as she shared her grief. I’ve never done that before.”

He said he was very keen not to demonise the river. “It’s been a commercial artery for centuries, and a focal point for tourists too. It’s very beautiful. But like any water - it needs respect,” he said. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s just drunk people ‘falling in’.

“Anyone and everyone – sober, good swimmers can find themselves vulnerable.”

Mr David, whose filming commissions have taken him across the world, from New York to St Petersburg, and who is currently working on additional projects for City of York Council and a music video for heavy metal band Morpheus Rising, has assisted with two previous Press campaigns.

He made films to support our Live Now, Drive Later campaign against joy-riding and our York Means Business campaign, aimed at supporting the city’s economy as it battled through the credit crunch.