A GROUP of grieving friends who witnessed firefighters' brave but fruitless attempts to save their drowning pal have reacted furiously to news that St Helens is to lose its rescue dinghy.

Hughie O'Donnell, his sister Beverly, Jamie Terry and Tony Kelsall gathered by the side of a pond on the New Bold estate, where 19-year-old Gary Kinsey lost his life.

Seventeen-year-old Jamie said that all Gary's friends were upset after reading in the Star that the rescue dinghy was being moved to Birkenhead as part of Merseyside Fire Service 'cost-cutting' measures. "Without that boat, we would have been waiting here much longer than we were, helpless and watching what was happening" he said.

And the group called for a specially-trained diver to be stationed in St Helens to prevent another tragic accident.

Tony (21) said: "It wouldn't cost a lot of money. Another tragedy is just waiting to happen again, especially here. Signs warning about the dangers of the water were only put up the day after Gary drowned".

The friends pointed to a wide bank of steps leading down to the edge of the pond in the middle of the new estate, where two young girls were playing.

Hughie said: "It's just like walking into the baths".

And Beverly (23) added: "They should at least have a safety ring at the side of the water".