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Video news: Rescue hero drowns in canal
Leigh Pitt died after jumping into the water to save a young boy GC8097
Leigh Pitt died after jumping into the water to save a young boy GC8097

A LIFESAVER'S fiancee has paid tribute to him saying he died a hero.

Leigh Pitt drowned after jumping into a canal in a bid to save a nine-year-old-boy who had fallen in.

Firefighters and police were called to the canal in Whinchat Road, Thamesmead, at 5.20pm on June 7 after reports of a man and child being in the water.

Mr Pitt's partner, who asked not to be named, said he jumped into the water after hearing shouts for help while in his flat which overlooks the canal.

She said: "He was holding the little boy up while I was trying to get the police.

"All I know is that he died a hero and he went in to try and save a child's life, it was the kind of selfless thing he would do."

The woman, who was due to marry the city worker in the autumn, says he always put others before himself and was well liked.

She added: "He used to go fishing at the lake and was always helping out the kids with their fishing.

Tributes to Leigh Pitt at the scene of the rescue tragedy GC8097
Tributes to Leigh Pitt at the scene of the rescue tragedy GC8097

"He has got three nieces and he loved them to bits.

"He always got on with kids and could get on with anyone.

"We had been together for five years and every day was a happy memory with Leigh."

London Ambulance Service pulled Mr Pitt from the water but he was pronounced dead at Lewisham Hospital at 6.42pm that day.

The boy, Harley Bagnall-Taylor, of Whinchat Road, was taken to hospital, believed to be suffering from hypothermia.

He has since been discharged.

Darryl McGowan, 29, was on his balcony with his cousin, Sean Forbes, 27, when he heard a loud scream and saw a woman shouting her boyfriend was in the water.

The delivery driver who lives in Erebus Drive, Thamesmead, overlooking the canal, believes the man died trying to save the boy.

He said: "At first we thought the woman was messing about but then we saw the guy in the water shouting. We ran down to where they were.

"The guy jumped down trying to save a kid but couldn't get out.

"I feel horrible, I wish I could've done more."

Mr McGowan says PC Ken Chow, 28, was already in the water by the time he got there as he dived in to try and reach the drowning man but was unable to bring him to shore.

PC Chow, of the Thamesmead Moorings Safer Neighbourhood Team, was later picked up by a fire brigade dinghy and also taken to hospital for observation.

He was back on duty last Friday.

A family has also told of their heroic efforts to rescue the young boy, Harley Bagnall-Taylor.

Daniel Mahoney, who lives in Whinchat Road, heard shouts for help from Broadwater Dock.

He looked out his window and saw somebody in the water.

The 21-year-old ran downstairs and told his parents, Terena and Brian, what he had seen.

Mr Mahoney shouted to his son to fetch a hosepipe for the pair in the water to grab hold of.

A neighbour, Marie Hills, lent them a hosepipe but it was not long enough to reach them.

Her son, Martin Hills, then jumped in the water and helped keep the boy afloat.

Mr Mahoney, 41, also jumped in to look after the boy.

Fire crews then arrived at the scene and threw a rope into the water, which Mr Mahoney tied around the boy, and pulled him out.

Mrs Mahoney, 43, said: "I am proud of my son and my husband, all of them in fact.

"They are heroes.

"If Daniel had not heard it or if he had ignored it there might have been two bodies today."

A spokesman from Plumstead Fire Station says the canal is very deep at the point of the rescue attempt and the walls are very high.

Greenwich police say there is nothing to suggest any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

A post mortem is due to take place tomorrow at Greenwich Mortuary.

  • Reader Hasina Zuberi was on the scene after the canal drama - watch her footage

  • News Shopper has set up an online condolence page for anyone who wants to pay tribute to Mr Pitt - click here

    7:11am Tuesday 12th June 2007


    The scene of the rescue

    Nine-year-old Harley Bagnall-Taylor, who was rescued
     

    Print   Email this   Comment
    Posted by: KC, london on 8:59am Mon 11 Jun 07
    I know the man who died on Thursday.

    He heard the shouts of a child in trouble and jumped in to save him without a moments thought for his own safety.

    It was an entirely selfless act for which he has paid dearly.

    My thoughts are with those closest to him.
    Posted by: H, Erith on 10:34am Mon 11 Jun 07
    Firstly my thoughts are with the family and friends of the Brave HERO that lost his life to save someone else.

    Secondly well done to the 4 guys that were involved first to help save that young boy. Without your quick thinking and bravery there could have been 2 lives lost.





    Posted by: rm, london on 2:34pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    Leigh was a hero. His actions were courageous,brave and above all selfless. Rest in peace Leigh. We loved you so much and will miss you dearly. We are so proud of you.
    Posted by: JM, London on 3:16pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    To Leigh's fiancee: I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your pride in his bravery and selflessness are of some comfort to you.
    Posted by: lucy washbourne, se london on 4:11pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    Rest in peace leigh, Our life time friend.
    Our thoughts are with Nicky and the rest of his family. God bless you leigh. lucy and jamie washbourne
    Posted by: Sam Lorraine, se london on 4:30pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    Rest in peace Leigh, you will be sadly missed by all.
    Posted by: R, se london on 6:14pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    firstly r.i.p Leigh, what you done for that little boy was truely amazing,

    Secondly don't you think that the young lad and the hero's families have been through enough without all you cruel people making comments.
    Nobody really knows what really happened, the boy may not recall everything in the order it happened "he's nine" don't forget most people block out bad memories! The only other person sadly is not here to recall what it was that really happened. May he rest in peace, xxx
    Posted by: Dom, Kidbrooke on 7:15pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    I am so glad the little boy is OK. RIP Leigh Pitt and condolences to your family. What a hero. I wish there were more people like him in the world. He was a real man.
    Posted by: DG, London on 7:16pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    For a man so brave, so courageous so selfless. Our heart goes out to Leigh's partner.

    Leigh was a remarkable guy always smiling and charismatic in everything he did.

    He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

    One can only be profoundly proud of him.
    Posted by: me, london on 7:19pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    rest in peace leigh u was so brave to have done wot you did. sorry 2 your family and i think you cruel people should shut up its not the time or places 2 b sayin nasty things
    Posted by: Jamie, St Pauls Cray/Orpington on 7:57pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    R.i.P hero !! sounds like a really good man.. sorry..
    Posted by: anon, London on 9:47pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    From Leigh's fiancee
    and the Pitt Family - Thank you so much for your kind words at this extremely sad time. R.I.P. MY HERO - your legacy will live on!!!
    Posted by: ?, thamesmead on 9:58pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    Leigh ur such a HERO!,
    Posted by: MRSR, Kent on 10:20pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    to Leigh's fiance - You must be devasted - but what a brave bloke - must make you feel so proud - god bless you and the family
    Posted by: AR, Switzerland on 11:03pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    My thoughts goes to both families who lost a hero! Leigh was an amazing chap full of energy, full of joy and a sincer man who will leave us all with very strong memories. May you rest in peace! Condolences to both families. My thoughts are with you all!
    Posted by: THAMESMEAD RESIDENT on 11:50pm Mon 11 Jun 07
    WHERE WAS THE BOYS PARENTS, AND WHY WAS HE PLAYING ON THE CANAL. 1 LIFE LOST DUE TO PARENTS NOT GIVING A DAMM.
    Posted by: nt on 7:24am Tue 12 Jun 07
    THAMESMEAD RESIDENT wrote:
    WHERE WAS THE BOYS PARENTS, AND WHY WAS HE PLAYING ON THE CANAL. 1 LIFE LOST DUE TO PARENTS NOT GIVING A DAMM.
    prob watching jeremy kyle
    Posted by: d, se londn on 8:18am Tue 12 Jun 07
    my heart goes out to Leigh's family. born and died a hero! All these CRUEL comments towards the boy and his parents. whose guilty now? All the people that are PUSHING THEM OVER THE EDGE. Is this how society has changed people over the years? This is the Councils fault they build a man made water way so where are all the safety measures that SHOULD go with it? Come on Greenwich Council help protect innocent people
    Posted by: mt on 8:54am Tue 12 Jun 07
    i feel for leigh's familiy too, which is why people are "cruel" a 9 yr old should know NOT to play near water, this is such a tragedy
    Posted by: Asesh Shah, Kenya on 9:26am Tue 12 Jun 07
    Our deepest condolences go to you all for the great loss of leigh, he was a great person and we all pray that his soul finds eternal peace.
    Posted by: Kellie Brett, Central London on 9:57am Tue 12 Jun 07
    Leigh was a life long friend and I am absolutely gutted that he is gone, my heart goes out to his fiance & his brother Nicky & family, he was amazing for what he did & I will never forget him, RIP Leigh Pitt love always Kellie Brett. xx
    Posted by: Sapna, Ldn on 10:51am Tue 12 Jun 07
    Leigh - you truly are a hero, our hero... Missing you and wishing you were still with us...Rest in Peace hun...wish we could all have courage and strength like you...the world wouldn't be such a bad place then..all my love, Sapna x
    Posted by: ?, whinchat rd on 3:10pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    Has any of these people making these horrible comments about the boy and his family even been to whinchat rd? Proberly not, outside the boys back gate is the canal the front door a main road it's nobodys fault but Greenwhich Council's making faulse promises about converting it years ago!!!

    R.I.P Mr Pitt brave hero as for the boy hope you are well.
    Posted by: Mandy, Bromley on 3:29pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    My thoughts and prayers are with Mr Pitts Fiance, family and friends. What a hero - the world would be a much better place with more people like him.
    Also hope the young boy is recovering well.
    Posted by: IAN BROWN, THAMESMEAD on 3:49pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    ? wrote:
    Has any of these people making these horrible comments about the boy and his family even been to whinchat rd? Proberly not, outside the boys back gate is the canal the front door a main road it's nobodys fault but Greenwhich Council's making faulse promises about converting it years ago!!! R.I.P Mr Pitt brave hero as for the boy hope you are well.
    YES I HAVE BEEN TO WINCHAT ROAD..PERSONALLY I WOULD NEVER HAVE EXCEPTED A PROPERTY THAT BACKS ON TO A CANAL ESPECIALLY WITH THE TRIBES OF CHILDREN IN THIS FAMILY.AND I AGREE A 9 YEAR OLD SHOULD KNOW BETTER AND HIS PARENTS SHOULD BE FEELING A WHOLE LOT OF GUILT THAT AN INNOCENT MAN HAS LOST HIS LIFE.
    Posted by: ?, whinchat rd on 5:17pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    personly the people dat dnt no nuttin should be quiet sum ppl dnt ave a say where dey live so if no has nuttin nice 2 say den shut up! da mans a hero and his family are proud of him
    Posted by: l, whinchat road on 8:19pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    this is so sad, the majority of people are out there to judge. i hope the boys family read all of this and report it to the police. they are grieving too, and obviously there must be guilt there too. we should all dedicte this sad time to Leighs fiance and family, i am sure they dont want to see all this cruelty coming out.
    Posted by: DUB on 8:30pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    To the girlfriend ,

    You may not remember me but i was one of them who ran to your calls , after the boy was rescued . You're courage was also very commendable . Im deeply sorry we could'nt get him out but as far as im concerned , your boyfriend is the REAL hero . Please know that my thoughts will be with him for the rest of my life .
    Posted by: anon, london on 10:05pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    DUB wrote:
    To the girlfriend , You may not remember me but i was one of them who ran to your calls , after the boy was rescued . You're courage was also very commendable . Im deeply sorry we could'nt get him out but as far as im concerned , your boyfriend is the REAL hero . Please know that my thoughts will be with him for the rest of my life .
    Thank you for your kind words and support. Fiancee and Pitt Family
    Posted by: Tom on 10:39pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    That boy will have to live with the death of that brave man for the rest of his life. He should have been bought up to know better than to play near water, especialy as he lived so near it. Where were his parents? Where they not concerned about his safety? What a tragic waste of a life, let this be a lesson to ALL parents, KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE UP TO. IT IS NO EXCUSE TO SAY 'YOU CAN'T BE WITH THEM 24/7' Maybe not in body but at least if you have set the ground rules, you can let them grow into responsible adults without them causing such pain and suffering to others. Yes, it is easy to just let them roam the streets, as Hayley was, but at what price?
    Posted by: Tom on 10:42pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    Sorry, Harley
    Posted by: anon, london on 11:12pm Tue 12 Jun 07
    From Leigh's Fiancee and Pitt Family - Thank you for your kind words and support. Also thank you to all the kind people who have been to the memorial by the canal to pay your respects and also those who have left messages. Thank to you all the unsung HEROES that helped. May GOD BLESS U.
    Posted by: Paul W, Australia on 1:22pm Wed 13 Jun 07
    My thoughts are with Leigh's fiancee and with his family. I worked with his fiancee and know what a great loss he is to all those that loved him!!!
    Posted by: aaron, 123 whinchat road se28 0dw on 4:35pm Wed 13 Jun 07
    ta boy haley i know him
    Posted by: Dom, Kidbrooke on 8:55pm Wed 13 Jun 07
    aaron wrote:
    ta boy haley i know him
    In that case I hope he's OK.
    Posted by: KS, London on 8:36am Thu 14 Jun 07
    Words are difficult to find to console someone who has lost a partner, a friend, a son, a brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Maybe one day the family of the young lad will sincerely appreciate how this hero lost his life in order to save one of theirs. I met Leigh only a couple of times but could see that his fiancee and he were very happy and had a long and happy future to look forward to. My deepest sympathies to her and the rest of his family.
    Posted by: Dom, Kidbrooke on 10:00pm Thu 14 Jun 07
    KS wrote:
    Words are difficult to find to console someone who has lost a partner, a friend, a son, a brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Maybe one day the family of the young lad will sincerely appreciate how this hero lost his life in order to save one of theirs. I met Leigh only a couple of times but could see that his fiancee and he were very happy and had a long and happy future to look forward to. My deepest sympathies to her and the rest of his family.
    They had better appreciate it! A man gave his life to save the life of this nine year old child. I only hope the boy will honour the memory of a brave man by not getting into any trouble for the rest of his life like so many kids do these days.
    Posted by: NC, London on 11:47pm Thu 14 Jun 07
    Leigh - it was a privilege to have known you. You will be greatly missed
    Posted by: Darren, London on 4:08pm Fri 15 Jun 07
    Although i didn't get to know you as well as i would of liked Leigh you have still left me and others so much. The sadness of your loss, the pride of knowing a real hero and the very funny/happy memories of a mate that always made me laugh. R.I.P

    My thoughts to your fiancee and family.
    Posted by: Darren, Kennington on 5:24pm Fri 15 Jun 07
    You'll be sadly missed by everyone who knew you Leigh. R.I.P.wishes are with family and friends!
    Posted by: Lee C, London on 1:05pm Sat 16 Jun 07
    I had the pleasure of working with Leigh for over three years, and I believe I speak for all who knew him when I say he was one the most funny, generous good friends anyone could ever wish for.

    Never forgotten, forever missed, rest in peace Bro.

    Posted by: malcolm campbell, s.e london on 2:22pm Sat 16 Jun 07
    leigh you gave your life to save another you are a true hero .you are going to be truley missed .my toughts are with your fiancee nickey and family and good times we had growing up .love you mate malcolm xxx
    Posted by: Chris R, West Thamesmead on 3:49pm Sat 16 Jun 07
    When will the council realize that all the canals and lakes around Thamesmead are deathtraps. Our kids are always in danger and as this tradegy shows the people who try to be heros and save are in danger too.

    The council and Tilfen need to put barriers around all the water ways or fill them in as soon as possible before there is another needless death.

    RIP - Leigh. Tragic.
    Posted by: Per, London on 4:55pm Mon 18 Jun 07
    To Leigh's fiancee: deep felt condolences from me and my wife. We only met Leigh a couple of times but this speaks volumes of what kind of person he was
    Posted by: Michelle, Kennington on 12:21pm Wed 20 Jun 07
    You will be truely missed Leigh. One of the original 'moto' crew, you always made us laugh!

    Condolences to your fiancee and family
    Posted by: vicky.c, kent on 5:11pm Mon 25 Jun 07
    Cant beleive what i've just read,Leigh, you always were one of the good guys,R.I.P Leigh you will be missed by many. x x
    Posted by: sam, BR london on 11:18am Tue 26 Jun 07
    To leigh's fiancee.. my deepest sympathy goes to you and your family. i know you are hurting but he's a hero and will never be forgotten. you know where i am if u need me.. May god bless his soul and bless you wiuth the strength to help you get through this tragic moment in time. My deepest condolences are with you and your family!! xx
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