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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Matt Bryan

Fire chiefs issue warning and safety advice after weekend of water tragedies in Lanarkshire

A warning to stay safe when in and around Lanarkshire's water has been issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

It follows a number of tragic incidents that occurred over the weekend including the death of 11-year-old Dean Irvine from Hamilton on Saturday.

The tragedy at Alexander Memorial Park was on the same day that a 13-year-old boy died after getting into trouble in open water in Lanark.

Meanwhile a further four people lost their lives in similar incidents in Scotland in recent days.

Alasdair Perry from SFRS told Lanarkshire Live : “I would like to offer my sincere condolences and those of everyone at the service to those affected by this weekend’s tragic events.

"They are a very sad reminder that Scotland's waterways can be dangerous, and we are asking everyone to take care and heed all available advice."

Dean Irvine tragically drowned in water at a memorial park in Stonehouse (Lanarkshire Live)

Many people have chosen to visit lochs, rivers, and reservoirs due to the warm weather.

Emergency responders also urged that despite high temperatures, the water can still be extremely cold and people can get into difficulty due to cold water shock.

This can interrupt breathing, cause loss of strength and coordination and affect swimmers of any age, fitness, or experience level.

Scotland’s many waterways can also have hidden dangers such as fast moving currents or obstacles which can also present a risk.

Alasdair added: “If you do get into trouble, try to keep calm then control your breathing.

"Lie on your back, spread out your arms and legs and float or swim.

"Then shout for help and, if you can, make your way to safety. We would ask that no-one swims alone and that, where you can, have the proper buoyancy and safety equipment.

"Never leave children or young people unattended and do not mix alcohol with swimming.

“We are committed to working with our partners and through Water Safety Scotland to educate as many people as possible about the risks involved in swimming or playing in water.

"In the coming weeks, we will be conducting more visits to popular areas to engage with swimmers and visitors directly.

"I would urge people to visit our website to find out more about how to stay safe."

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