THE family of a teenager who tragically died days after getting into trouble in a river have paid tribute to him one year on by raising awareness of the dangers of swimming in open waters in a new video. 

William McNally was just 13-year-old when he died on June 5 last year. Days earlier he had been swimming with friends at the Clay Pits in Linwood, part of the River Gryffe, when he got into trouble. 

The Linwood High pupil was pulled from the water and rushed to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children in a critical condition but died three days later.

READ MORE: Beloved daughters of Glasgow mechanic pay tribute to their 'best friend'

Glasgow Times:

Now his aunts Jayne and Claire Drennan have created a touching video that aims to make all young people aware of the dangers of swimming in open waters.

Jayne said: “William had been involved in an accident in the River Gryffe when he had been out with his friends that day and we were contacted in the early hours of the Thursday morning and just told to get to the hospital.

"When we got there, they said his injuries were catastrophic as he’d spent, what they called, a significant period of time stuck under the water and the damage to his brain was irreparable.

“The impact of losing William has been catastrophic on the whole family. There’s a hole been blown through us that will never, ever, be able to be fixed. It is just a case of trying to get through the day really, and it’s been that way for a year.

“My sister has lost her son. My niece and nephew have lost their brother. My parents have lost their grandson and we’ve lost a nephew.”

READ MORE: GPS signs set to be installed along river following death of 13-year-old boy

Renfrewshire Council responded to the tragedy by placing seven new GPS signs at potentially dangerous areas along the River Gryffe as part of a drive to improve the safety of all waterways in Renfrewshire.

Councillor Marie McGurk said the council commissioned the video featuring Jayne and Claire to help young people know the dangers of swimming in rivers and other bodies of water.

Councillor McGurk said: “William’s death was a tragic accident, and this first anniversary of his passing is a harrowing reminder of the dangers swimming in open water can pose. In commissioning this video, we hope to make more young people aware that, no matter how tempting, swimming in rivers and other bodies of water can be dangerous.

“We have also installed new GPS signage around the river that make it easier for people to tell emergency services exactly where they are so they can respond as quickly as possible. The GPS signage also includes a life buoy, a throw-line rope and a reminder that people shouldn’t swim in the river.”

Jayne added her plea for young people to familiarise themselves with the signage and become aware of the dangers of swimming in the water.

She said: “It’s important to know where you are, know what’s underneath you, and know how to use the nearby equipment, with signage and codes. Just familiarise yourself with where you are and try to know the risks a wee bit better. Just be more aware and look after each other and if somebody does get into difficulty, then get the right help as quickly as possible.”

Sharron Drennan, William’s mum, also urged young people to look out for each other.

She said: “I want to thank everyone who tried to help William that day. William was, and still is, very much loved and adored.

"He is missed by everyone, which was made abundantly clear last year when Linwood came to a standstill for his funeral.

“I want to make a plea to all young people, please make sure your mum doesn’t have to go through what I have. Please look out for each other and make sure all of your friends get home safely.”

READ MORE: New memorial bench will honour much-loved schoolboy William

Glasgow Times:

It comes after we reported this week that a memorial bench in William's name, where pupils can sit during breaks, will be unveiled in the school grounds in his memory.