A PLAQUE has been unveiled in memory of a worker who drowned in the River Ouse and whose death sparked The Press’s Think, Don’t Swim campaign.

Emotional friends and family of 21-year-old Richard Horrocks gathered as a metal memorial plaque was placed near Revolution riverside bar, close to where the tragedy occurred last July.

Richard jumped into the water from a balcony at the end of his last shift at the nearby bar and tried to swim across the river, but got into difficulties and drowned.

He was the third person to die in York’s rivers last year and his death triggered The Press’s campaign, which has aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of falling or jumping into the Ouse and the Foss.

The plaque, funded by Revolution, will serve as a memorial to his life, as well as a warning to others.

It carries the campaign logo and Richard’s picture, and reads: “In memory of Richard Anthony James Horrocks. On July 24, 2011, Richard thought he could swim across the river. On August 1, 2011, his devastated parents and sister attended his funeral.”

Richard’s mother, Vicki, and sister, Abbi, were among those who attended the unveiling yesterday.

Former Revolution general manager Laura Morris said she had decided to commission the plaque to serve as a memorial to Richard and a place where his friends could remember him, as well as a “stark warning” to others.

“We wanted to put it up in memory of Richard who was obviously a friend and colleague of all the people here, a lot of whom were here when Richard died.

“We worked in conjuction with his mum who has strongly supported The Press’s Think, Don’t Swim campaign and she wanted the plaque to be a harsh reality of the trauma that can be left behind when tragedies like this happen.

“We want people to think twice and we think the plaque will help that.”

Mrs Horrocks said: “I never thought in my worst dreams or nightmares that I would be here.”

She told The Press she hoped the plaque would act as a deterrent to anyone thinking about jumping in the river.

She said: “We are honoured and very grateful to Revolution and Laura for doing this and we are honoured that so many of Richard’s friends came to the unveiling of the plaque.”