Heartbroken dad’s tribute to tragic Tyler Wilson as he warns other parents about dangers of open water

The heartbroken dad of tragic 16-year-old Tyler Wilson has paid tribute to his son and sent a stark message about the dangers of open water just days after his death.

Police raced to the River Calder in Castleford just before 7pm on Wednesday, May 24, after receiving reports of someone in trouble in the water. Tyler’s body was sadly recovered from the river, just off Leeds Road, at 8.30pm.

Tyler’s dad Karl made an emotional appeal in a video posted to social media, asking parents to check on their children and warning all about the dangers of swimming in rivers and lakes. With Karl’s permission, Yorkshire Live are sharing his words and urging all to think twice before taking risks in water despite the sunny weather this weekend.

Read More: Devastated Castleford mum pays tribute to 16-year-old son after his body was found in river

Karl said: “This is where Tyler was, that’s where all his family were waiting on the bridge to see him be recovered from the river. Me, his mum, his grandad, you know, uncles.

“Probably similar circumstances to today, the sun is beaming, the river is as calm as it can get. But when you get closer its not that calm.

“An hour and a half he was under the water, this is where he was. I don’t know exactly how he has ended up in the water, whether he was swimming or if he was [messing] about.

“If you look, if you go close, there is string in there, trees and there are currents under the water. It is moving rapid, you can see it moving underneath but it looks still on top.

“He has left a lot of people heartbroken has the lad, we all love him so much.”