At least 15 people have died in open water during a heatwave and hot weather across the UK.
The Royal Life Saving Society urged people to “stop and think” before getting into the water in response to the deaths, most of whom were children.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned of the increased risk of cold water shock, which is the body’s natural physical reaction to sudden immersion in cold water.
The response is immediate and can lead to drowning, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said. Anyone who suddenly enters cold water is at risk, especially if they accidentally fall in or jump in. Cold water shock can affect anyone regardless of swimming ability.
A 13-year-old girl was pronounced dead on Sunday after being pulled from the water in the River Wharfe in North Yorkshire, bringing the water-related death toll during the hot spell to at least 15.
Here is where deaths resulting from water-related incidents have been reported.
Swanholme Lakes, Lincolnshire
Declan Sawyer, 15, died after getting into trouble at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln.
Emergency services were called to Swanholme Lakes at 2.30pm on 24 May after reports that Declan had entered the water and was missing.
West Angle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire
Also on 24 May, a 72-year-old woman died after being pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at around 3.15pm.
Leadbeater Dam, West Yorkshire
A 13-year-old boy, understood to be Reco Puttock, died after getting into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, on 25 May.
Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire
The body of a teenage girl was recovered from the water at Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire on 25 May.
Tregirls Beach, Cornwall
On the same day, a man in his sixties died of cardiac arrest after entering the sea at Tregirls Beach, Padstow, to help two family members who were in difficulty, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
The two family members were brought to safety by members of the public.
Rother Valley Country Park, South Yorkshire
The body of a teenager was recovered from the water at Rother Valley Country Park, Rotherham, in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, 26 May, South Yorkshire Police said.
Hawley Lake, Hampshire
A body was found in the search for a teenage boy who went missing after being last seen swimming at a boating lake on the Hampshire-Surrey border.
Hampshire Constabulary said a multi-agency search was launched on Tuesday afternoon following the disappearance at Hawley Lake near Blackwater.
Ribchester, Lancashire
A 12-year-old boy who died after getting into trouble in the River Ribble at Ribchester, Lancashire, on Tuesday was named as Junior Slater from Clayton-le-Woods.
Pickmere Lake, Cheshire
On Wednesday, Cheshire Police said the body of a 17-year-old boy was found after he went missing in Pickmere Lake at Marston, Northwich.
In a tribute issued by police, David Tita Jr’s family said the boy was “compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light”.
Swanscombe, Kent
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to reports of concern for a person in water near Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe, Dartford, just before 3pm on Wednesday.
The teenager’s body was recovered at the scene and his death is not being treated as suspicious, it added.
River Thames, Donnington Bridge, Oxfordshire
Thames Valley Police said that a 14-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty in the River Thames at Donnington Bridge on Wednesday.
Bracklinn Falls near Callander in Stirlingshire
The body of 16-year-old Charlie Noble was recovered from Bracklinn Falls near Callander in Stirlingshire on Thursday evening.
Formby Beach, Merseyside
A 15-year-old girl who was taken to hospital after getting into difficulty on Formby beach on 25 May was pronounced dead in hospital on Saturday.
Chiedza Nyanjowa, from Cheshire, was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after the incident, where she later died.
Balderton Lake, Nottinghamshire
A 19-year-old man, who had been at the lake with friends, was recovered from the water at Balderton Lake, off Heron Way in New Balderton, on Thursday afternoon.
On Saturday, Nottinghamshire Police said the man had not survived, adding that his family has been informed and were being supported by specialist officers.
River Wharfe, Burnsall, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Police said late on Sunday that a 13-year-old girl had died after being reported missing in the River Wharfe near Burnsall in the Skipton area.
