A STARK warning has been issued by the emergency services of the dangers of swimming in rivers, lakes and quarries during hot weather.

Adrian Mayhew, crew manager at Evesham Fire Station said it was the third time in as many weeks that someone had got into difficulty in water after going for a swim.

“While we realise that people want to cool down in hot weather, this type of water is very dangerous to go swimming in, especially as it is not supervised. The water temperature is extremely cold, especially after the winter we have had.

“Cold water shocks the body and it can just take 60 to 90 seconds after entering the water to get into difficulties.

“It makes our breathing become very rapid and our muscles tighten. From witness statements this is what sounds like happened to him.

“We don’t want this happening at the river again as it is an avoidable tragedy,” he said. Mr Mayhew also said the river Severn had strong undercurrents and there was also many hazards lying underneath the surface of the water.

“There is a lot on the bottom of the river which can be dangerous, including things such as shopping trollies and even wrecked boats.

There are also plants that you can get tangled in. We really ask that people stay away from swimming in places like these. If they want to cool down, stay in the shade, drink bottled water and be sensible,” he added.

Chief Inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams, head of local policing in south Worcestershire, said: “Following this tragedy we would remind everyone that they should never try to cool off in unsupervised water. The water is inevitably much colder than the ambient temperature – and the current usually stronger than anticipated – and even good swimmers can soon get into difficulties in these conditions.

“We hope that during the projected heatwave over the next few days – and weeks – everyone will heed this warning and resist entering rivers, streams, canals, ponds, lakes and quarry-water.”

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