The heartbroken parents of a teenage boy who drowned in a lake while swimming with friends are suing a council over alleged safety failings. Alex Crook died on September 7 last year after getting into difficulty at Scotsman’s Flash, a nature reserve in Wigan. The 15-year-old, who had just started Year 11, was enjoying a day out with pals when the group entered the water.
Alex did not know how to swim and initially only went in up to his waist – but the water suddenly became deeper than expected. His friends desperately tried to help him, but he disappeared under the surface and wasn’t seen for around five minutes. His body was later pulled from the lake by a passerby who rushed to assist.
An inquest heard that Scotsman’s Flash had no safety equipment onsite and no signs which warned against swimming or the dangers of open water at the time of Alex’s death. His devastated parents, Neil and Lynette Crook, say his life “could have been saved” if there had been appropriate warnings or equipment. They are now pursuing a claim for negligence against Wigan Council in accordance with the Fatal Accidents Act.
Neil, 45, said: “We will never get over losing Alex. There have been very tough days. We feel very low. It’s hard to smile. But we don’t want another family to have to go through this pain. At the inquest, one of the boys said in his statement that Alex’s head had been above the water for a minute or two while he was panicking.
“If there had been safety equipment onsite – something for the boys to throw at him – there could have been time to rescue him. But there was nothing there. It made us really angry to hear that. So we did some digging and found that a risk assessment from 2020 advised that warning signs should be placed at the site. But that wasn’t done.”
Alongside their legal claim, Neil and Lynette, 42, are also campaigning for better safety systems around open water. Neil, who works as a catering supervisor at Wigan Hospital, said: “Bodies of open water needed to be looked at more closely. There needs to be better signage and warnings – and safety equipment onsite. Even for strong swimmers, if it’s water you don’t know, your body can go into shock if it’s too cold – or your foot can get trapped or injured on something under the surface.
“We also need more education in schools about the dangers of water – and to make sure all schools teach swimming.”
Neil is also now campaigning for more schools to offer swimming lessons. The national curriculum mandates that schools should offer swimming lessons – but Alex’s primary school did not.
Neil said: “I took Alex for swimming lessons when he was young but he just never took to it. We went on holidays every year and he went in the pool and enjoyed that… But his school didn’t teach swimming and so he wasn’t getting those lessons. It’s a regret we have – not pushing that more. So we now want to make sure that no school can choose not to offer those swimming lessons.”
Neil described Alex as a “kind and caring lad” who “always wanted to help out”.
He said: “Alex was a really good lad. I’d say he was a typical 15-year-old but he was better. He was kind, caring, thoughtful. He always wanted to help out. You hardly ever had to tell him off – which is rare for a 15-year-old – and he was thriving at school.
“He always got glowing reports and had just been made a senior prefect before he died. He was really into rugby too.”
Neil said he and Lynette have been seriously struggling since Alex’s tragic death – but have managed to keep going thanks to their other son, Oscar, who is 19 months. Neil said: “We’ve really struggled. It’s very tough. But I’ve said to Lynette it’s a good job we have Oscar as he means we have to get up in the morning.
“We have to function so we can look after him. We’re trying to remember as well that Alex wouldn’t want us to be down in the dumps permanently. So we’re trying to focus on what we’re doing – to help other families and stop anyone else going through this.
“That’s the motivation we’ve got. That’s how we’ll keep Alex’s name and memory alive. And we’ll do that for the rest of our lives.”
The family are being represented by law firm Slater and Gordon as they seek answers over Alex’s death. Samantha Williams, a senior associate at the firm, said: “The loss of Alex has absolutely devastated his family and understandably they have questions as to why there were no signs to tell Alex and his friends not to enter the water – and why there was no lifesaving equipment available for when the worst did happen.
“In Alex’s memory, they are now tirelessly campaigning for greater awareness of the dangers that exist in open water – which many children just don’t realise. Education lies at the root of this positive change and we absolutely support Neil in his efforts to speak out in the hope of saving other lives.”
Wigan Council did not comment. Previously, in response to the findings of the inquest into Alex’s death, a spokesperson said: “Ever since the devastating incident at Scotman’s Flash in 2024, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with Alex’s family.
“Our officers – and the wider Water Safety Partnership – have met with Alex’s family on a number of occasions and we remain grateful for their contributions as we work to avoid similar tragedies. We hope to support future efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of open water.
“A number of measures have been put in place at Scotman’s Flash since the incident and recent reviews have been conducted regarding other areas of water across the borough. We note the recommendations and comments made by the coroner during today’s inquest hearing.
“They will be given full consideration by the council and relevant agencies and appropriate action will follow.”
Neil and Lynette are also looking to raise £10,000 to contribute to funds needed to provide life-saving equipment and signage around bodies of open water.
So far, they have raised £3,575. You can donate to their fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/neil-crook?utm_term=4wYa39Gd2