A CORONER has warned parents of the dangers of toy dinghies after a dad died in a desperate bid to save the life of his son at a Bolton beauty spot.

David McHugh, aged 33, drowned saving his seven-year-old son Daniel after their inflatable boat sank on the Blue Lagoon at Belmont.

Coroner Michael Singleton warned other parents of the double dangers of swimming in deep lodges and using toy boats which were clearly marked only for use in shallow water.

The coroners words came after the BEN launched a campaign to drain the "death lodges" of Bolton following the drowning tragedy on August 22.

Mr Singleton said: "It is clear that the lagoon is not an area designed or intended for water sports.

"I appreciate that it is very tempting on a warm summer's day, but water is very dangerous and unforgiving."

An inquest heard that David McHugh held his son Daniel above water long enough for rescuers to reach him but died for his heroic action.

Mr McHugh and Daniel were thrown into the water after increased air pressure in the boat caused it to explode.

The dad desperately fought to keep his son from sinking into the murky waters of the lagoon while he shouted for help.

The inquest heard that friends Ben Melia and Michael Davies, both of Hopefield Drive, Walkden, plunged into the icy lodge and swam out to where father and son were struggling to stay afloat.

Ben Melia grabbed Daniel by the arm and managed to drag him to the shore while Michael dived repeatedly, feeling through the murky water, in an attempt to get hold of David, of Withycombe Drive, Salford.

When his strength was all but gone, he climbed on to a nearby island and, after a short break, he tried again before eventually being forced to give up.

"The actions of these two young men were clearly heroic," said Mr Singleton. "I want it to be a matter of public record that what they did was to save the life of a young boy. It took a great deal of courage."

He said there were a number of warnings that must follow from the tragedy.

It was clear the dinghy was no more than a toy and should not have been used in what was effectively an open piece of water.

He added signs at the remote beauty spot warned of the dangers of swimming there and the £9.99 dinghy was clearly marked as only being suitable for children who should be supervised by an adult and remain in their depth at all times.

The coroner later showed members of the public the gaping hole in the plastic dingy.

It exploded because the weight of the father and son in the boat, as well as the warm weather, had increased the air pressure in the inflatable toy.

The police helicopter, Bolton Mountain Rescue and a North West Water official with a boat helped in the search for David, but his body was not recovered until the following day by the police underwater rescue unit. A verdict of accidental death was recorded. David McHugh Coroner Michael Singleton with the damaged dinghy

Mr Singleton said: "It is apparent that the dinghy deflated immediately and David and Daniel were thrown into the water. David McHugh used all his efforts to save his son and it is perhaps fortuitous that this inquest is dealing with the loss of only one life. I am sure that, had it not been for the efforts of the passers by, we would have been dealing with the death of a young boy as well."

The inquest heard that David, his partner Amanda McDonald and their three children had gone to Haigh Hall, Wigan, for a family day out in August.

They had left there because of wasps and later bought the dinghy and buckets and spades ready for a trip to Blackpool the following day.

David suggested going to the Blue Lagoon, a place they had visited previously and where David had swum before.

Amanda said David had inflated the dinghy and taken their two daughters out separately before Daniel had his turn.

As they headed out towards a small island, Amanda heard a pop and looked to see the dinghy had deflated and David and Daniel had disappeared from sight. She heard David shout for help. Ben Melia and Michael Davies also heard the popping noise and saw David trying to hold Daniel out of the water.

The police helicopter, Bolton Mountain Rescue and a North West Water official with a boat helped in the search for David, but his body was not recovered until the following day by the police underwater rescue unit.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.