‘Barford people showed bravery during one of their darkest moments’

Anthony C Marsh, chief ambulance officer for West Midlands Ambulance Service, has thanked the villagers who were on hand to support the emergency services following the boating accident on the River Avon in which father-of-three Julian Mynott, 42, and his youngest son Freddie, three, died last month.

In a letter to the Courier, Mr Marsh has said: “I write following the dreadful events on the evening of Saturday May 12 at Barford Weir.

“While nothing can make up for the tragic events of that evening, I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my thanks to the many members of the Barford community who assisted the staff of the emergency services who attended the scene.

“I have spoken to a number of the ambulance staff who attended the incident and they have all spoken very warmly of the tremendous assistance that they received from local people.

“As well as being very helpful at the scene, I know you went out of your way to supply food and hot drinks as the incident became more protracted into the evening.

“On behalf of West Midlands Ambulance Service, I would like to thank you for the support that you gave to all of the emergency services in what can only be described as a harrowing incident for all involved.

“Our thoughts go to everyone in the community as you come to terms with the events of that terrible evening.”

The emergency operation started after Mr Mynott, Freddie and his older brother Archie, seven, and sister Florence, six, were out on the river and their boat capsized.

Battling against fast moving water, two of the children were rescued from the river by villager Matthew Macfadyen but Mr Mynott drowned while trying to save his son Freddie.

The funeral of the father and son took place at St Peter’s church in the village last Friday.