By Eric Nicolson

THE PARENTS of the Perthshire man whose body was washed up at Perth Harbour have spoken of their anger that lifebelts which could have saved their young son’s life were taken from the banks of the River Tay by vandals and have not been returned.

Graham Motion was seen falling from the Queen’s Bridge at Perth in the early hours of Sunday, but a search by the coastguard, fire service and police failed to save him.

As reported in yesterday’s Courier, a rescue bid was thwarted when police reached for a lifebelt only to find the outer casing of three separate rings to be empty.

A water skier discovered Graham’s body on Tuesday evening and last night a formal identification was made of the Abernethy 20-year-old.

His distraught family are trying to come to terms with his tragic death, while remembering their fun-loving son.

Speaking from the family home his parents, Graham and Maureen, said that they were angered that lifebelts were and still are missing from their casings on the banks of the Tay.

This is an issue they intend to raise with Perth and Kinross Council through their councillor.

They also expressed their hope that Graham’s death acts as a reminder to those who steal or vandalise lifebelts that their actions are “thoughtless” and could have devastating consequences.

Remembering their son, they said, “He was such a happy person who just loved life.

“He was always smiling and always seemed to have a mischievous look on his face. He will be missed by us all.”

Graham was a former pupil of Kinnoull and Abernethy primary schools and Perth High School. He enjoyed a short spell at Perth College studying music before taking up a full-time job at T 4 Toys in Perth’s Canal Street.

But it was music—drumming in particular—that was Graham’s real passion in life.

He was a valued member of several bands including Allergo and Violent Response.

On top of playing the drums since an early age, Graham recently taught himself to play guitar.

He was well respected in the local music scene and further afield, having played twice at T in the Park.

His family added, “He was quite happy and content as long as he had his music. Graham had everything in his CD collection from thrash metal to jazz.

“We would often wake up in the morning to the sound of him playing his drums in his bedroom or his heavy metal alarm clock.”

As a youngster Graham played football for Bridge of Earn and the Abernethy Cub team and he supported Dundee United, a passion he shared with his dad.

Graham’s parents, his sister Lisa and brothers Stuart and Craig, and wider family and friends have been “deeply touched” by the messages of support, including the members of his band’s forum on the web.

They said, “We would like to thank members of the emergency services who tried to rescue Graham from the water and to everyone who helped search for him afterwards.

“In particular we would like to thank the staff at Tay Salmon Fisheries Company and other members of the public who helped us look for Graham in the water.

“It is comforting to know that, despite the tragic outcome, there are so many caring people around.”

Grieving parents’ anger at vandals

By Eric Nicolson

THE PARENTS of the Perthshire man whose body was washed up at Perth Harbour have spoken of their anger that lifebelts which could have saved their young son’s life were taken from the banks of the River Tay by vandals and have not been returned.

Graham Motion was seen falling from the Queen’s Bridge at Perth in the early hours of Sunday, but a search by the coastguard, fire service and police failed to save him.

As reported in yesterday’s Courier, a rescue bid was thwarted when police reached for a lifebelt only to find the outer casing of three separate rings to be empty.

A water skier discovered Graham’s body on Tuesday evening and last night a formal identification was made of the Abernethy 20-year-old.

His distraught family are trying to come to terms with his tragic death, while remembering their fun-loving son.

Speaking from the family home his parents, Graham and Maureen, said that they were angered that lifebelts were and still are missing from their casings on the banks of the Tay.

This is an issue they intend to raise with Perth and Kinross Council through their councillor.

They also expressed their hope that Graham’s death acts as a reminder to those who steal or vandalise lifebelts that their actions are “thoughtless” and could have devastating consequences.

Remembering their son, they said, “He was such a happy person who just loved life.

“He was always smiling and always seemed to have a mischievous look on his face. He will be missed by us all.”

Graham was a former pupil of Kinnoull and Abernethy primary schools and Perth High School. He enjoyed a short spell at Perth College studying music before taking up a full-time job at T 4 Toys in Perth’s Canal Street.

But it was music—drumming in particular—that was Graham’s real passion in life.

He was a valued member of several bands including Allergo and Violent Response.

On top of playing the drums since an early age, Graham recently taught himself to play guitar.

He was well respected in the local music scene and further afield, having played twice at T in the Park.

His family added, “He was quite happy and content as long as he had his music. Graham had everything in his CD collection from thrash metal to jazz.

“We would often wake up in the morning to the sound of him playing his drums in his bedroom or his heavy metal alarm clock.”

As a youngster Graham played football for Bridge of Earn and the Abernethy Cub team and he supported Dundee United, a passion he shared with his dad.

Graham’s parents, his sister Lisa and brothers Stuart and Craig, and wider family and friends have been “deeply touched” by the messages of support, including the members of his band’s forum on the web.

They said, “We would like to thank members of the emergency services who tried to rescue Graham from the water and to everyone who helped search for him afterwards.

“In particular we would like to thank the staff at Tay Salmon Fisheries Company and other members of the public who helped us look for Graham in the water.

“It is comforting to know that, despite the tragic outcome, there are so many caring people around.”