TWO life-saving ring buoys have been installed following the death of a young dad from Birkenhead who drowned after being swept into the River Mersey.

Nathan, 25, also known as 'Beano' to friends and family, was swept into the Mersey with his friend on June 19, 2017 between Monks Ferry and Cammell Laird shipyard.

Emergency services were called and his 22-year-old friend was rescued by Constable Paul Thompson and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's Marine Rescue Team.

Heartbreakingly, Nathan had gone under the water before help arrived and despite several searches he did not resurface.

A coroner later ruled that Nathan had died as a result of a tragic accident.

Wirral Globe:

Nathan Cooper

Constable Thompson, who was the first emergency responder, said: “I was the first officer on the scene and located one male in the water.

"Thankfully I had removed the ‘throw line’ from the rear of my police vehicle as when I got on to the promenade there was not a single life belt or rescue ladder.

"The only life belt I could spot was on the landing stage for the ferry, simply too far away to be of any use.”

After this, Liverpool based health insurer Medicash chief executive Sue Weir worked with agencies including the RNLI to identify how many life belts were needed and where they should be placed.

Following this work two temporary life belts were installed along the promenade near to Monks Ferry but now Medicash have donated cash to have permanent ones installed.

Birkenhead MP Frank Field told the Globe: "Had there been a life belt nearby on that fateful day, perhaps Nathan would still be with us and his young family.

"If just one life could be saved by these life belts I’d be happy that another family would not have to deal with such tragedy.”