The safety of a notorious weir is under fresh scrutiny after a man died days after slipping into the water while fishing with his nephew.
William Davis, a 38-year-old supervisor from Sydney, had been trying to cross Penrith Weir in Emu Plains with his nephew about 10.40am on Friday when tragedy struck.
He reportedly stepped onto the weir first to test the surface, but it was too slippery.
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Davis lost his footing, hitting his head on a concrete and metal structure before being knocked unconscious and swept into the water.
His body drifted downstream for about 10 minutes before bystanders could reach him and pull him from the water.
They performed CPR until paramedics arrived and managed to restart his heart.
His 14-year-old nephew was stuck on the weir before being rescued by firefighters using an inflatable boat.
Davis was stabilised at the scene and rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.
Doctors later said when he drowned, the lack of oxygen caused a ventricular heart attack — a type of cardiac arrest that cuts off blood and oxygen to the brain almost instantly.
He was placed in an induced coma, but his brain activity never returned.
Davis was declared brain dead on Tuesday.
Now, Davis’ family and friends are calling for urgent action to improve safety at Penrith Weir.
Sara Jane, a long-time friend, told 7NEWS.com.au that the current signage is far from adequate.
“They wouldn’t know how dangerous it is, because there’s no [obvious] sign for it,” Jane said.
“When it’s got heaps of water on it, but it does get very slippery.
“And the big drop is what actually causes the accident.”
Jane is calling on authorities to install stronger barriers, improve signage, or even dismantle the structure altogether if necessary.
The weir has long been a source of concern.
In 2022, a 33-year-old mother from Camden died when a boat she was on capsized at the site.
At the time, the yellow buoys meant to warn people had been washed away.
7NEWS.com.au has contacted Penrith City Council and WaterNSW for comment.
WaterNSW referred enquiries to NSW Police, who are yet to respond.
William ‘Wombat’ Davis’ fondly remembered
Davis was lovingly called “Wombat” by his family and friends.
His mother, Linda, told 7NEWS.com.au the nickname came from his childhood: “His nickname was Wombat, because he eats roots and leaves, that’s why his father gave him [it].”
While his father is still struggling to accept that William is gone and is unable to see him in his hospital condition, other family members and colleagues from United Steel have come together to say their goodbyes.
“Everyone said he was the best boss, because he was a supervisor at work, and he was just the best son.” Linda said.
“He’s a giving, kindest, loving person you could ever meet.
“He would do anything for anybody.”
That sentiment was echoed by his long-time friend Jane.
“He would offer his jumper off his back, and go cold all night … he would give me his last dollar,” Jane said.
“He supported me when I lost my brother, and he sat with me in silence for four days straight.”
Describing Wombat as “the life of the party,” Jane recalled that he “had the biggest heart.”
That heart continues to beat, even though his brain had been pronounced dead.
Linda kept a recording of his heartbeat and decided to donate it, along with Wombat’s other organs, to someone in need.
Although Wombat wasn’t on the organ donor registry, Linda knew it was something he would have wanted.
“I’m glad I didn’t have to make the decision to turn off the machines — that will be done under operation tomorrow, so that gives me closure,” Linda said on Wednesday.
“The only reason I’m kind of holding up is because I know that he’s going to be saving someone else’s life.
“Just believe that something good is going to come out of this.”
Trying not to dwell on how painful Wombat’s final moments were, Linda said he loved fishing, especially with his nephew.
“All we can say is that he died doing what he loved and with the person he loved,” she said, holding back tears.
