An 18-year-old male tragically lost his life in a reservoir in Greater Manchester amidst the intense heatwave.
Emergency services swiftly responded to Dovestones Reservoir in Oldham on Friday evening around 7pm following a distress call about a young man struggling in the water.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, the teenager was declared deceased at the scene. The Manchester Evening News stated that the individual was found unresponsive in the water as emergency crews rushed to the Saddleworth nature reserve.
Witnesses observed numerous police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and an air ambulance on-site, with a restricted area cordoned off.
Greater Manchester Police is actively investigating the incident.
Detective Inspector Steven Horton from GMP’s Oldham district expressed, “We have sadly recovered the body of an 18-year-old male from the water and are conducting thorough investigations to determine the complete circumstances. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this challenging period.”
Horton also emphasized the dangers of open water, urging the public to avoid large bodies of water like reservoirs, rivers, canals, or ponds for their safety.
This marks the second tragic incident in Greater Manchester within 24 hours, following the death of a 49-year-old man who faced difficulties at a reservoir in Alexandra Park, Stockport.
Numerous individuals have lost their lives in various water spots across the country during the scorching heatwave. The drowning toll continues to rise, with multiple fatalities already recorded this year.
The UK Health Security Agency warns of a potential surge in drownings as temperatures are expected to remain high over the weekend. Experts caution about the risks of cold water shock and drowning in open water areas due to persistently cold temperatures in lakes and reservoirs.
The Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to address the increasing drowning crisis in the UK. The campaign advocates for mandatory water safety education in schools, a national awareness drive, enhanced lifesaving equipment at high-risk water locations, the implementation of Sam’s Law, and the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Water Safety.
For more information on the campaign and ways to show support, visit the provided link.
