People are being warned about the dangers of open water after seven people died across the UK.
It’s been a sunny bank holiday weekend on Merseyside with temperatures reaching highs of 19 degrees. The hot weather is expected to continue today and into the first week of June.
But a stark warning has been issued to anyone who is planning to flock to beaches or looking for ways to cool off in open water this week. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Tragically, we have seen several water deaths in the last 36 hours in Lancashire and neighbouring counties.
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“A refreshing dip might look tempting, but open water can be extremely dangerous even for experienced swimmers. If you get into trouble, remember to #FloatToLive.”
The latest tragedy in UK waters was reported at Worthing beach in West Sussex on Sunday (May 28). Emergency services were called to the beach after a man in his 70s suffered a medical episode in the water, the Mirror Online reports.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man died at the scene. The death is not believed to be suspicious and his next of kin have been informed.
Thousands flocked to beaches across the UK on Sunday as the Met Office recorded the hottest day of 2023 so far, with temperatures climbing to 24.4C in parts of the country. At least six others are known to have died in the waters this week.
The body of 15-year-old Lewis Kirkpatrick was recovered from the River Eden in Carlisle, Cumbria, on Saturday afternoon. Police launched the search following reports the teenager and three other boys had got into difficulty on Friday evening.
An unnamed 14-year-old was airlifted to hospital and remains in a critical condition. Two men in their 20s died after being pulled from the water off the coast of Devon on Saturday.
Devon and Cornwall Police rushed to the scene in Oddicombe, Torbay, following reports of concern for two people in the water. The pair were rescued at around 8.50am on Saturday – but sadly, one of them was declared deceased at the scene and the other died after being taken to Torbay District Hospital.
It came just days after the body of Tyler Wilson, 16, – was pulled from the River Calder in Castleford, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday. Taking to social media, his mum said: “Love you and forever my boy. Until we meet again.”
The bodies of an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man were also recovered by divers at High Eske Nature Reserve, near Tickton in East Yorkshire on Wednesday. Four other swimmers were rescued during the incident.
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