THE “devastated” mother and sister of Callum Baker-Osborne have paid tribute to their “beautiful” son and brother, who died while heroically saving family members from drowning.
Callum’s mother Ann Marie Osborne told the Daily Echo that her 18-year-old son’s heart was “so big” and that she was proud to be his mother.
“It’s incredible but that sums up Callum, that’s what he did," she said.
"He put everyone before himself on the daily, he just took pleasure out of helping people.
“Callum was the kind of boy who didn’t hesitate to help anybody.
"If he saw anyone needing help, be it carrying bags or anything else, he’d be there.
“We have a veteran who walks around near where we live, an old man with a walking stick. One cold day, without being asked, Callum took a hat, gloves and a coat and took them over to him.
"That’s the kind of person that Callum was, his heart was so big and we miss him dearly.”
Callum was found in the water at Lake Pier in Hamworthy, Poole, early on Friday, July 30, after crews searched for four days. The 18-year-old from Coventry went missing following an incident in the water off Rockley Park on the afternoon of Monday, July 26.
He let go and went under the water. That was the last time I saw him."
Callum’s sister Samantha said her brother selflessly gave his life to save her daughter, despite being in danger himself.
She told the Echo: “I was in the water with Callum and he saved my daughter Aurora’s life.
"He kept pushing her above the water shouting at her to ‘breathe’.
"Then, when he started losing energy, he balanced her on his head to keep her up.
“He was pulling on my shoulder but I was holding my other daughter, Narlah, above the water.
"I was shouting ‘Callum you’re drowning me’, and so he let go and went under the water. That was the last time I saw him.”
“I can’t cope with my baby being gone,” Callum’s mum Ann Marie said. “I never thought I’d have to go through something like this. I’m just devastated, absolutely devastated.
“What happened was such a shock because he could swim, he was a strong swimmer. I don’t think people understand that he could actually swim very well and that’s why I can’t get my head around what happened.
“My kids are really struggling with the loss too, we all are.”
Callum’s sister Samantha also said that Callum and his partner lost a baby in 2018.
She said: “Callum lost his baby in 2018, his partner was 13 weeks when the scan revealed the baby had no heartbeat – which left Callum heartbroken. Around that time, I found out that I was pregnant with my son and so I asked Callum to be his godfather. My son, Daniel-James, was Callum’s greatest treasure. He adored my son and used to say he was his third parent, they used to spend all their time together. They were truly best friends.”
Callum leaves behind his parents, nieces, nephews and his seven siblings, including his twin brother Ryan.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel