Messages of support have flooded in for a man who drowned after swimming in open water.
Haydn Griffiths, 23, was last seen in the water near Derby Pool, in New Brighton, at around 10.30pm on Tuesday, July 19. Haydn, from Lowton, was attempting to swim out to the wind turbines with a friend, when he disappeared in the water and didn't resurface.
His body was found by an RNLI crew in the water near Crosby five days later. At an inquest on Thursday, December 22, it was heard how Haydn had attended the beach at Derby Pool, New Brighton, with a friend at 6.50pm on July 19.
READ MORE: Job losses and cut backs announced days before Christmas at Jaguar Land Rover
The pair decided to swim out to the offshore windmills, and were within 500m to 800m of the turbines when they became tired and decided to return to shore.
At 9.30pm, Haydn, who was a marine engineer and qualified sailing instructor trained in advanced open water diving, told his friend he was suffering from cramp and severe tiredness. She tried to encourage him to keep swimming, but he was too exhausted, and they agreed she should swim to shore without him and get help.
She swam for another hour, "during which time she could still hear Haydn, because he was shouting for help." However, by the time she reached the beach three miles away, Haydn had disappeared in the water.
A huge search was launched by the Coastguard, RNLI, and police and fire services, but was called off at around 5pm on July 20 after 18 hours. Shortly before 8pm on July 24, Haydn's body was found by the RNLI in the water off Crosby, and was taken to Pier Head, Liverpool, where his identity was confirmed.
A post-mortem found the cause of death was drowning. Coroner Anita Bhardwaj handed down a conclusion of accidental death. Since publishing the inquest following Haydn's tragic death, messages of support have flooded in for the 23-year-old's family.
Geraldine Smith said: "This was so heartbreaking, I remember when it happened. I will pray for his family." Emma Bailey added: "He was a lovely guy. Sailed with and against him for many years. Always went out of his way for others. He will be surely missed."
Anthony Dewsbury also said: "God bless you all sorry for your loss. Chloe Moran added: "Thoughts are with his family and friend who was with him. Can’t imagine how she must feel."
Paying tribute to her brother, sister Megan, 30, said: "Haydn was determined. Anything he put his mind to, he would do it, whether it's learning to play the guitar or learning a really difficult song. He used to do box jumps in the gym and he'd stack up all the boxes as high as possible, and keep jumping until he could do it.
"And he was so caring. He fed the birds, he talked to the swans, he loved animals. He was a nature boy really, very spiritual, kind and caring."
She added: "Haydn definitely lived his life to the fullest, snowboarding on mountains, doing all the tricks. He didn't hold back, he just did it and enjoyed it."
His other sister Brogan, 26, said: "He was always one for nature. One time he brought frogs in and put them in the bubble bath and gave them a bath. My mum cried 'Haydn, get those frogs out of there!' - so he took them to bed! He must have been about six or seven. He would always be getting up to mischief."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Light a Christmas candle to remember a loved one on our map of tributes
Burglar's shocking crime spree ended when he killed nurse
21 things you only know if you grew up on the border of Merseyside
Live updates as police incident causes Wallasey Kingsway tunnel delays
Nan thought brother with dementia was dead until she saw Facebook post
