Teen drowning in reservoir prompts warnings over heatwave deaths
A teenage boy has drowned while swimming at Greenbooth Reservoir in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, during one of the hottest days of this year.
After reports that a boy had got into difficulties in the water, paramedics, specialist firefighters and a mountain rescue team came to help, as the Telegraph reports. Witnesses told the Manchester Evening News that the boy, believed to be a college student, had been visiting Rochdale with a group of friends when he got intro trouble. He had “gone under and not come back up”, according to a woman writing on Facebook about what her daughter saw.
“My sincerest condolences are with the boy’s family at hearing this heart-wrenching news,” Detective Chief Inspector John Harris of Greater Manchester Police said. “We are working closely with our partners and witnesses to the incident to understand the circumstances.”
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The tragic death happened during one of the hottest days of this year so far. The Canal and River Trust issued a warning urging young people to stay out of open water on hot days. “It’s also important that people, especially children and teenagers, are aware of the dangers of cooling off by going for a dip. The consequences can be devastating,” Tony Stammers from the charity’s safety team said.
Each year, around 400 accidental drownings occur in the UK, with more than half of them happening at inland water sites like reservoirs, canals and rivers.
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