THE family of a barman who drowned after jumping fully-clothed into a river are backing a hard-hitting film highlighting the dangers of a city’s waterways.

Richard Horrocks died after leaping from a balcony into the River Ouse, in York, in July.

The 21-year-old, whose family lives near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was the third person to die in York’s rivers this year.

The Northern Echo: An image from Christopher David's hard-hitting film highlighting the dangers posed by the River OuseAn image from Christopher David's hard-hitting film highlighting the dangers posed by the River Ouse

Producer Christopher David has made the short film showing the fictional story of a man who swims in the Ouse, with tragic consequences.

It premieres tonight, with an invitation-only screening at York’s City Screen cinema, near where Mr Horrocks died.

It features emotional interviews with his mother, Vicki, and sister, Abbi, about the devastating impact his death had on the family.

Mrs Horrocks was on the first day of her summer holiday, with her husband, David, when they received a call about an incident involving her son from police.

She said: “They said there had been an incident after Richard finished his shift at work.

“He was celebrating his last shift and, an hour or so after he finished, he jumped into the river to attempt to swim to the other side.”

In the moments that followed, Mrs Horrocks said she just kept repeating: “What has happened to my boy?”

The couple managed to get a flight back to the UK within a couple of hours, but by the time they landed they had received the news from Abbi that a body had been found.

Mrs Horrocks said: “Until Richard was identified, there was hope it wasn’t true, but when David confirmed it was him our lives changed for ever.”

Despite her family’s heartbreak, Mrs Horrocks is determined to help prevent future tragedies.

She said: “Richard had everything to live for. I hope sharing the story of our tragedy will send a clear message to others.”