A devastating incident unfolded in Italy where 22 year old Sam Rigby from St Helens lost his life attempting to rescue his girlfriend, Olivia Greenall, from drowning. The couple were enjoying a holiday sailing toward Menaggio in Lombardy when they took a fateful swim on 17 July.
A coroner’s inquest brought to light that after Ms Greenall, aged 19, “got into difficulty” in Lake Como, her boyfriend heroically jumped in. Coroner Julie Goulding described the perilous conditions: “The water was cold, deep and had currents. Both Sam and his partner got into difficulty and were unable to extricate themselves from the water and back onto the boat.”
Their cries for help led to Ms Greenall being saved by a nearby vessel, while Mr Rigby tragically succumbed to the lake’s strong currents.
Despite a rigorous search including helicopters and divers, Mr Rigby’s body was found later that same day. Concluding the death as accidental, Ms Goulding confirmed that following an exhaustive police investigation, no one was found responsible for the tragic event, according to the Liverpool Echo.
“The boat was hired on a two-hour basis and a bottle of wine and two cans of alcohol were found on the boat. The tragedy that unfolded on the lake led to the accidental death of Sam.”
In a moving tribute, former head teacher Catherine Twist from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School stated: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School go out to Sam and Liv’s families at this tragic time. Both students epitomised our school motto of living life in all its fullness.”
Following Mr Rigby’s unexpected death, friends and relatives flooded social media with their grief. Callum Hill, mourning his cousin, wrote on Facebook: “RIP Sam no matter where you are you’re always my annoying little cousin who always wanted to go on video games with me and kept asking your mum for me to go round to yours.
“What I wouldn’t give for us to be that age again just to have one last convo about absolutely anything, miss you mate. Thinking about you all heart goes out to your missus too mate, until I see you again.”
Brandon Lyon also expressed his sorrow online, noting: “RIP Sam Rigby taken away too soon literally was sat with you on Monday before you went away, never take anything for granted you will be missed.” And Jamie Appleton paid his condolences, adding: “R.I.P Sam Rigby gone way too soon bro thoughts are with your family.” And Jamie Appleton paid his condolences, adding: “R.I.P Sam Rigby gone way too soon bro thoughts are with your family.”