Barford boat tragedy: grieving wife expresses her devastation

Emma Mynott, whose husband Julian, 42, and toddler son Freddie died after the boat they were in capsized in the River Avon on Saturday, is now with her two other children, who are making a recovery after being rescued from the river.

Mrs Mynott, who had not been in the boat at the time, said: “We are all devastated by what has happened, but I want to thank my neighbours and all the people from the community who have helped and offered support and the many people who have sent good will messages.

“The children’s school in particular has been very helpful and supportive at this difficult time, for which we are very grateful.

“I would also like to express my immense gratitude to everyone involved in the massive effort on Saturday evening to rescue my family. I would like to thank all the emergency services and all other agencies who were there and who have become involved since.”

“Our appeal now is to be allowed our privacy, which we know that many people have already respected, in order that we can be allowed to grieve and to come to terms with what has happened.”

See Friday’s Courier for a full report on the tragedy.