This tragic story comes from Blackpool, Lancashire, England – where a brave man named Alex Gibson lost his life by drowning in the Irish Sea while trying to save his friend.
Alex Gibson – A Brave Soul
Alex Gibson, a 22-year-old chip shop worker, was having a night out with his friend at Blackpool. The two got separated to visit different places during the night. That’s when his friend called him from the North Pier and told him she didn’t want to live anymore.
Upon hearing the shocking confession, Alex quickly ran towards her location. Alex didn’t know how to swim, but he still went to save his friend without a second thought. He dived in, reached his friend, and the pair tried to swim back to the shore. But the tides were too strong, and since Alex didn’t know how to swim, he tragically drowned.
At an inquest that took place at Blackpool on January 24, Alex’s friend told how the incident occurred that night. She said:
“We were both in the water together. I was trying to help Alex because he couldn’t swim. We were hanging on to each other trying to keep each other afloat.
“I realised that the only way we were both getting out was if someone got help so I told him that I was going to get out and get help. It took me a while to swim back because the current was really strong.”
Alex’s friend got out and kept shouting at Alex that it would be okay and she couldn’t live without him. She continued:
“He was just trying to stay afloat,”
“I remember seeing him get further out. He was shouting for help.”
Lifeboat helmsman Sean Wright took part in the search for Alex. At around 5:06 am, they found Alex face-down 200 meters from the shore. He was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where every effort was made to save his life, but sadly it was too late.
Gone, But Not Forgotten
Dillon Dixon, Alex’s friend, spoke about him and the kind of uplifting and helpful human being he was. Dixon said:
“He was a proud vegan and had a heart of gold,”
“He enjoyed going to Stanley Park to feed the birds. Alex has in the past had many dark thoughts and said he was tired of everything. He was always sad inside but had the biggest smile on his face.”
Hamish Howitt organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family. It states:
“A beautiful, caring, loving, son, brother and friend to all who knew him. Please help by donating for a beautiful send off for a true hero. First £500 will be donated by our family. God bless to all.”
Alex Gibson was a hero, and he will forever be remembered as one. Our hearts go out to his family & friends.
You can help the cause by going to their GoFundMe here.
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