Mum calls for safety measures after river death

Jackie Roberts, from Wetherby, waited five weeks for news of 20 year-old daughter Megan, whose body was found in the River Ouse six miles from where it is believed she fell in near Lendall Bridge.

Speaking to ITV’s Calendar, she said: “I think the real point is how easily this happened.

“If Megan’s death can leave something in legacy and something is done, then that means so much to me.”

She added: “All her friends remember her as being such a lovely, happy, always smiling, young lady who would do anything for anyone. She was so loyal and had a wicked sense of humour.

“The thing I am going to miss most is her as a friend as well as a mother and daughter. We were such good friends.

“I had contact with her on the Tuesday before the night out.

“The last thing I actually said to her was, ‘be careful’.

“They had all been drinking for a long time and, as the police said, she was heavily affected by alcohol.”

Megan was in her second year studying Fine Art at York St John University.

Her death has now prompted calls for improved river safety measures and a petition for better CCTV now has over 19,000 signatures.

It comes as the search continues for 22 year-old Ben Clarkson, who also disappeared in the city earlier this month.