The perils of swimming in open water have been laid bare following the deaths of five children with the fire service worried the message is still not getting through
Experts have issued blunt warnings after five tragic teenagers drowned over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The family of a 15-year-old boy who died in a lake have spoken out amid their grief to urge others to be aware of the dangers of open water. Declan Sawyer was discovered during a search of Swanholme Lakes near Lincoln on Sunday while the UK was recording record-breaking high temperatures.
There is torment too for the family of another teenage boy who “went missing in water” while cooling off at a popular country park in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Bank Holiday Monday. Police have this morning confirmed that a body has been recovered after an overnight search.
Abbie Carmody-Pepper, also 15, lost her life while bathing at Burrow Beach, Sutton, Dublin, this weekend. Her death came hours after the body of a teenage girl was retrieved from the water at Kingsbury Water Park in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. Yesterday, a 13-year-old boy, named locally as “Reco,” was pulled from the water after he drowned in a reservoir in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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Declan’s father Carl paid a heartbreaking tribute to a “funny and outgoing young man” and doesn’t want any other parents to go through the same ordeal with the heatwave set to last until the weekend.
“He had a very cheeky smile and the personality to match. He was very much loved by his friends and family, and will be missed dearly by many,” he said.
“We would like to raise awareness about children playing near any rivers or lakes in the hot weather. Please can all parents, friends and family make their children aware of the dangers surrounding water.”
A fire service has pin-pointed the dangers about swimming in open water following a surge in deaths in recent years.
Robert Hulatt, the head of prevention at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, warned that people must not assume that because they can swim in a swimming pool, they can cope with the challenges of rivers, lakes, quarries and waterways – and says the “hidden dangers” make them perilous.
“Even on a warm day the temperature in open water can remain very cold, causing cold water shock, a physical reaction which can make it difficult to control breathing, cause panic and make it difficult to swim,” the group commander said.
“We want everyone to enjoy themselves around water, but it’s crucial to remember that water can be unpredictable and dangerous. By following some simple safety tips, we can significantly reduce the risk of drowning.”
What to do if someone is struggling in water
- Call 999 and ask for the fire service – they are best trained to deal with a rescue
- Shout and encourage them to float on their back – let them know that help is on the way
- Find a rescue aid such as a life ring, throw line or reach pole. If there is no public rescue aid equipment, throw anything that will float
- Don’t be tempted to go in. The water might be cold, which will limit your ability to swim
- Before pulling someone out of the water, get down on one knee or lie down so you don’t fall in
- Keep sight of the casualty to help the emergency services locate them more quickly
