Body of Brody Leach Recovered from River Severn
The body of 22-year-old Brody Leach was pulled from the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on Saturday morning, West Mercia Police confirmed. He had entered the water on Friday, the hottest June day on record, and failed to return. A large police presence was at the scene, and part of the area was cordoned off.
Tributes Describe 'Life and Soul of the Room'
Friends and former teachers paid tribute to Brody, describing him as the 'life and soul of any room.' One friend wrote on Facebook: 'RIP Brody, I can't believe this is real... You were always the life and soul of any room you walked into. Thank you for being one of the best co-worker/friends I could have asked for.' Another person who taught Brody said: 'He was a genuinely lovely young man who was very well liked by both staff and students.'
Police Increase River Patrols
West Mercia Police said they will increase their presence along the river this weekend. A spokesperson stated: 'Brody has been formally identified by his family and his next of kin have been made aware. Our thoughts are with them, and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.'
Second Heatwave Drowning in June
Brody is the second person to die in the June heatwave. On Wednesday, a 50-year-old man from Cilfrew, Neath Port Talbot, died at Aberavon beach after getting into difficulty while swimming. HM Coastguard performed CPR, but the man died at the scene. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Warnings About Open Water Dangers
During the May heatwave, at least 15 people—most of them children—drowned in open water. The incidents prompted widespread warnings about the dangers of swimming in open water, which can be much colder than expected and cause cold water shock syndrome, which can be fatal.
Record-Breaking June Heat
Friday was confirmed by the Met Office as the UK's hottest June day on record, with 37.3°C recorded in Santon Downham, Suffolk, surpassing the previous high of 36.7°C recorded in Merryfield, Somerset, on Thursday. It was the third consecutive day that the record was broken.
Mirror's Save Lives For Sam Campaign
The Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations, and bereaved families, the campaign calls for compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety.
