FLOODS: Warning issued after boys rescued from capsized boat

9:55am Tuesday 24th July 2007

FIREFIGHTERS have issued a plea for people not to waterski, jetski or sail dinghys in floodwater after two youngsters had to be rescued in Upton-upon-Severn.

Two boys were sailing in an inflatable boat on playing fields on the outskirts of the Tunnel Hill end of the town when the boat suddenly burst and sank.

Firefighters standing outside a nearby fire station spotted the struggling youngsters and quickly launched their own inflatable boat and rescued them.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Alec Mackie said: "We know from previous floods some people will be waterskiing, jetsking and sailing in floodwater at places like the ham meadows, Powick and Pitchcroft, Worcester until the water subsides.

"It's dangerous. They are putting themselves at risk because they do not know what lies beneath.

"There's the possibility of drowning or getting into difficulties but also there are all sorts of things in the water that will cause people health problems if they end up in the water."