A 60-YEAR-OLD man who died after trying to rescue his dog from a frozen lake in London has been remembered as a “doting grandfather”.
Stephen Cavanagh, from Bexleyheath in Kent, was walking the pet in a park in Welling, southeast London when the tragic incident occurred yesterday afternoon.
Witnesses said his dog jumped over railings surrounding the lake, which was frozen over.
They added that Mr Cavanagh tried to chase after, but slipped and fell on the ice – banging his head and falling into the freezing water.
Emergency services including an air ambulance were called to the lake, in Danson Park, shortly before 4pm.
Mr Cavanagh was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.
A Met Police spokesman said this evening: “In respect of the death of a man following an incident in Danson Park, Bexley on Wednesday, 28 February, the deceased has been formally identified as Stephen Cavanagh, 60, who lived locally.
“The family of Mr Cavanagh have requested that they are not contacted by the media at this difficult time. We ask the media to please respect their wishes.”
Tearful relatives of Mr Cavanagh visited the scene of the incident in Welling this afternoon.
A friend told MailOnline: “The family are in bits. He’s a doting grandfather.
“The family thought the absolute world of him.”
One tribute left at the scene said: “Words cannot express how sad we all are and how proud we are of all you have done. Miss you and love you.”
The London Fire Brigade said Mr Cavanagh’s dog was rescued by boat.
“We were called at 3.55pm to reports of a person in the water in Danson Park,” said an LFB spokesperson.
“One man was rescued by a member of the public before the arrival of the fire brigade.
"He was recovered from the water and taken to a south London hospital where he died."
