![\"Bristol](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_unnamed-1.jpg\")
Bristol woman Emily Cooper and her late soulmate Vincent Le Goascoz – who drowned in 2023(Image: submitted)<\/p>\nEmily used to love to swim, but even taking a bath after her partner\u2019s death left her petrifiedBristol woman Emily Cooper and her late soulmate Vincent Le Goascoz – who drowned in 2023(Image: submitted)<\/p>\n
An inspirational woman is facing a deep-rooted fear of water after her partner tragically drowned in the Bristol harbour.<\/p>\n
\u2018Warm and kind\u2019 teacher Vincent Le Goascoz<\/a> died after falling into the water in December 2023 – his body was pulled from the water at Redcliff Quay days after he went missing.<\/p>\n Vincent, who was a language teacher<\/a> at Fairfield High School in Horfield<\/a>, was just 35-years-old when he drowned.<\/p>\n His bereaved partner, Emily Cooper, was left devastated by his death and has spoken about the \u201chuge bouts of grief\u201d she has experienced.<\/p>\n Emily, 34, has spoken to Bristol Live about how Vincent\u2019s death has left her completely terrified of water.<\/p>\n But says she now wants to conquer that fear and \u201cbecome the person Vince loved again\u201d as the pair were both \u201cwater babies\u201d and had loved to swim together.<\/p>\n Sign up to receive daily news updates and breaking news alerts straight to your inbox for free here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Emily said: \u201cHe used to call me his mermaid, but since Vince drowned I have been terrified of water.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the point where I struggled to bathe, and I resorted to only drinking bottled water as in my head tap water is the water that killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n Now 18 months after his death, Emily has taken up the challenge of swimming the length of the English Channel – 22 miles – in order to try and get over her now \u201cparalysing\u201d fear of the water.<\/p>\n As part of the challenge she is also raising money for Diabetes UK, as Vincent was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes in his mid 20s.<\/p>\n Emily explained that \u201cif it wasn’t for fundamental research into the disease, he would have left the world much sooner\u201d and the pair would likely never have met and fallen in love.<\/p>\n She added: \u201cI wouldn’t have had the opportunity to have met him, to spend the years loving him.<\/p>\n \u201cVince used his platform as a secondary teacher to also support students who suffered with the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n Emily has now reached the half way point in her 22 mile challenge and has raised just under \u00a3700.<\/p>\n She has said that some of the swims are easier than others and on occasion she still finds herself completely consumed with grief and panic once in the water, but is determined to complete the challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were water babies, we both loved the water,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut since his death, I\u2019d become petrified of water, but now I\u2019m trying to conquer that – as it\u2019s what he would have wanted. Vince used to say \u2018you can’ t live your life in fear\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were inseparable – he was the most incredible human and my soulmate. He was truly the most courageous, kind and beautiful soul, so to do this swimming challenge<\/a> in his memory truly means the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Emily](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1748415974_291_0_unnamed.jpg\")
Emily some of Vincent’s ashes with friends in his home town of Brest, Brittany in France, this was his favourite beach(Image: submitted)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\")
Bristol Live WhatsApp Breaking News and Top Stories<\/p>\n