Two teenagers have tragically died in separate incidents after encountering difficulties in water on bank holiday Monday. A 13-year-old boy lost his life after getting into trouble at a swimming spot in West Yorkshire at approximately 3.20pm. Just hours later, at 7.20pm, a 15-year-old girl was pulled from the water at a country park in Staffordshire.
Incident in West Yorkshire
Police rushed to Leadbeater Dam in Halifax at around 3.20pm on Bank Holiday Monday. The reservoir is a popular location for locals during hot weather. A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police confirmed that the teenage boy was pulled from the water and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Calderdale CID are investigating, but they have stated that there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. A major emergency response was triggered at Leadbeater Dam following reports of a swimmer in difficulty.
Incident in Staffordshire
Just hours later, emergency services in Staffordshire were called to Kingsbury Water Park near Tamworth after locals raised the alarm at around 6pm. A girl was recovered from the water at approximately 7.20pm at the beauty spot by specialist police teams. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that sadly the body of a teenage girl was recovered from the water shortly after 7.20pm. Despite the efforts of emergency services, she was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her next of kin has been informed and they're being supported by specially-trained officers. Over the coming days, we'll have officers in the area providing reassurance, so if you have any questions, please speak to them. An investigation into the circumstances has begun and we'd ask people to avoid speculation. Our thoughts remain with her family and friends during this difficult time.'
The picturesque site is home to 15 lakes and more than 600 acres of parkland and is run by Warwickshire County Council.
Warnings About Open Water Dangers
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service yesterday warned people about the dangers of going into open water. They said: 'The weather is warming up and you might be tempted to cool off in water, but danger could be lurking under the surface. Even on warm days, the water can still be very cold and cold water shock is highly dangerous. We experience an increase in call-outs to water-related incidents in the summer months. Please help us to keep you safe and avoid entering bodies of water.'
According to the Met Office, Monday was the hottest day in May on record, with temperatures reaching 34.8C in London. The Met Office described the 34.8C heat as 'exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May'. The mercury is set to rise even further on Tuesday to an unprecedented 36C. Forecasters have warned about the dangers to swimmers during the hot weather.
Rescues from lifeguards more than doubled last year, according to the RNLI. Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety & Education at the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: 'We're urging the public to choose lifeguarded locations wherever possible, where safety measures and supervision are in place. If you are spending time near water with children, always supervise them closely, keep them within arm's reach, and consider dressing them in brightly coloured swimwear to improve visibility. Open water environments are very different from controlled swimming areas. There may be hidden hazards beneath the surface, strong currents, and colder temperatures that can seriously affect your ability to swim. It's vital to respect your limits, avoid swimming alone, and talk to your family about water safety before you visit. If you see someone in trouble, don't be tempted to enter the water to rescue them. Instead, call 999, encourage them to float on their back, and throw something that floats to assist them. Taking simple precautions can help prevent tragedies and ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the water during warmer weather.'
