The friend of a Kingston University student that died swimming in the Thames has launched a petition in an attempt to stop more tragic deaths.

Niall Pawsey, 20, disappeared under the water after he jumped in near the Kingston Mill pub on April 28.

The London Coastguard said the young law student was believed to be intoxicated and unclothed when he went in to the river.

His friend, Kingston University Students’ Union president elect Chris Dingle, launched the petition this week for better sagety measures along the river.

He said he accepted part of the responsibility lay with the people that jumped in out of their own free will, but said more needed to be done to educate students about the dangers.

He also wants more location codes so bars and drinkers can direct the RNLI to the river location as quickly as possible.

Mr Dingle said: “This is something the union has always been aware of but his death highlighted it for me because I knew him and he was a good friend.”

Police have said in the past that if people want to jump in, nothing will stop them, and Edward Davey MP said something to the same effect when he met with Mr Dingle recently.

But, Mr Dingle said: “This could make the difference between someone else having a tragic death, and living to know not to do something so stupid again.”

He hopes adequate student awareness training will be available by fresher’s week in September.

Sign the petition at saferiver.epetitions.net.