A total of 19 people tragically lost their lives in deadly open water during the heatwave
Record breaking temperatures in May brought tragedy across the UK, with a series of drowning incidents leaving families and communities across the country devastated. From a grandfather who died rescuing his nine-year-old granddaughter, a teenager retrieving a ball from the sea, and a woman who lost her life trying to save her dog, the hotSwimming in rivers, lakes or the sea, can present unexpected challenges even to strong swimmers, and the Royal Life Saving Society warns that 90 percent of accidental drownings in the last five years have all taken place in open water.
The publication has now launched its 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign to stop the deaths of children who drown in England every year. Experts have warned that the public - especially young people - need more education about the dangers of open water swimming. Declan, 15, got into trouble while swimming in Swanholme Lakes, Lincoln, around 2.30pm on Sunday May 24.
The hottest day in May for many years in the UK, in Kew Gardens it reached 32.3C.A desperate search for the teenager was launched, and his body was found that evening by the emergency services. His family paid a heartbreaking tribute to the youngster, in which they said: "Our darling boy Declan was a funny and outgoing young man who loved his fishing and his football.
"He had a very cheeky smile and the personality to match. He was very much loved by his friends and family, and will be missed dearly by many.
"With his tragic and unexpected passing on Sunday 24th May at Swanholme Lakes, we would like to raise awareness about children playing near any rivers or lakes in the hot weather. Please can all parents, friends and family make their children aware of the dangers surrounding water.
"Reco, 13, got into difficulty in a reservoir at around 3.20pm on May 25. After being pulled from the water in Leadbeater Dam near Halifax, West Yorkshire, he was rushed to hospital by the emergency services where he was pronounced dead, police said. Two others are said to have tried to help the youngster as he struggled in the water, and his father posted on Facebook pleading for them to get in touch.
"To the lads that jumped in please message me so I can come down and shake your hands, like no joke put the message out. I want the two men or boys to message me. You tried, I need to shake your hands needed heads all over just message that's all I ask.
" Floral tributes with heartbreaking messages were left at the site of his drowning, and his mum paid tribute to Reco, saying: "I don't know what to feel, I think I've just cried and cried since about 7am this morning. I don't think I can bring myself to any more at the minute.
"Junior, from from Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire, tragically died while swimming in the River Ribble, Ribchester, Lancashire, on May 26. Known for his "cheeky smile and bright spirit," he had been swimming with friends at about 2pm when he got into difficulty in the water. A major six-hour search got underway, and his body was recovered hours later at 8pm.
In a statement, his primary school Blessed Sacrament in Ribbleton, Preston, said: "As a school community, we stand together in remembering a young life taken far too soon.
" His family said they would "truly miss" their "little blue-eyed boy". Muhammed, 16, from Sheffield, died after entering water at Rother Valley Country Park where he got into trouble on Bank Holiday Monday. The emergency services were called just before 7pm after being told that a teenage boy had got into the water, but had not re-emerged.
Those that run the Country Park reminded the public that swimming is not permitted outside of designated events, saying: "We have staff actively encouraging visitors to stay out of the water". A fundraiser set up for Muhammed described him as "a much-loved son, friend, student, and member of the community who brought light, laughter, and kindness to those around him" adding that his family's pain at the loss is "unimaginable".
David, 17, from Crewe, was swimming in Pickmere Lake, near Knutsford, Cheshire, when he went missing. His body was recovered on the evening of May 26 after emergency services had been informed of his disappearance at 16.50. His family paid tribute to him, saying "David was compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light.
"When he smiled, it was as mountains smile to see the spring. His smile and touching empathy were infectious, as was his impactful capacity to reach out, build relationships, help and support those around him.
"Baltazar, 14, from Oxford, died in the River Thames near Donnington Bridge on May 27. Authorities were called in the early evening after he got into difficulties in the water. The Oxford Timorese Community Association have said that the teen's mother is dealing with unimaginable "heartbreak" and has urged other parents to make sure their children never enter open water unsupervised.
"She would like to remind all the other parents, to remind the children when they're out there - don't just go into any water and to always make sure that they go with an adult. "Charlie, 16, from Denny and Dunipace, died at Bracklinn Falls near Callander - a popular attraction that consists of series of waterfalls in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Emergency services were informed that someone was in difficulty in the water on May 28 at around 6.45pm. Tragically, he did not survive. A pupil at Denny High School, his head teacher paid tribute to him, saying: "Charlie was a highly-valued member of our school community and was held in great affection by so many pupils, staff and in the wider community.
"Chiedza, 15, from Cheshire, died on Formby Beach in Merseyside. Two off-duty nurses who were swimming nearby spotted that she was in trouble on Bank Holiday Monday, after she had gone into the water to try and fetch a ball. They tried desperately to save the teenager's life, but she tragically died later in hospital after arriving in critical condition.
"We had been swimming in the sea with our children for approximately 10 minutes when Emma spotted a child lying on the beach while a man attempted to resuscitate her. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, we immediately acted," one of the nurses told the Liverpool Echo.
The nurses swapped giving her CPR amid a rapidly incoming tide, which meant that they had to keep moving the unresponsive teen up the beach as they continued their life-saving efforts, which were not enough to save the teenager's life. Emergency services were called to the River Tame in Kingsbury, Warwickshire just before 6.10pm on May 25 following reports a young girl had gotten into difficulty in the water and responded quickly.
It took them an hour to search for Lillianna, 17, from Kingsbury, before eventually recovering her body. The teen's family said: "Our family is completely devastated and will be forever heartbroken.
"We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank our community for the love, compassion and support that has been shown to us, and for sharing in our grief - it means more than words can express. "Aged 68, Phil Crow, from Padstow, heroically entered the water at Tregirls Beach, Cornwall in an attempt to save his granddaughter, Sia Briskham, who had got into difficulty after being pulled underwater by an unexpected tide.
He suffered cardiac arrest in the water, but his wife and their granddaughter were luckily rescued by a passing boat. : "We were jumping up with the waves then all of a sudden we couldn't hit the floor when we landed, it was deeper and was pulling us out.
"He was shouting at her to lay on her back but she couldn't stand, he pushed her to safety, but doing so meant he couldn't get back himself. He was pushing her feet and just shouting swim, swim, swim.
"Aged 11, the body of Mackenzie Swift was found after a multi agency effort - including underwater divers - after he went missing in the River Don on Saturday May 30. Officers from South Yorkshire Police began searching for Mackenzie just after 8pm following reports that he had entered the river near Ferry Boat Lane in Mexborough. Tragically, it took 48 hours for his body to be found, with the search ending around 11pm on Monday June 2.
Greg Howes, 44 was found in the River Yare, Norfolk Broads on May 29 by diving teams, in a search that took all night after he got in trouble in the water the day before. His family have urged the public to take care in the water of the Norfolk Broads.
"At this sad time, his family would like to urge the public to take care and consider their safety when taking part in activities on the water on the Broads," the statement said. Rushabh Patel, 28, had seen two people struggling at the wild swimming spot on Newport Pagnell Beach, near Milton Keynes, during the heatwave.
The heroic father went into the River Great Ouse and was able to save the lives of the two swimmers who were in trouble at the wild swimming spot. Devastatingly, Mr Patel died a few days after his heroic efforts. Doctors tried to save the 28-year-old's life when he suffered a cardiac arrest. He leaves behind his wife and 18-month-old baby daughter.
A 19-year-old man at Balderton Lake, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. A teenage boy at Hawley Lake, Hampshire. A woman, in her 60s, in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire who entered the water to try and save her dog A 13-year-old girl at River Wharfe, North Yorkshire, who members of the public desperately tried to save. Alongside unpredictable depths, uneven banks and riverbeds and a lack of safety equipment, there are a number of factors that make open water swimming dangerous.
Unexpected currents and cold temperatures are two major factors in this type of accidental drowning, the RLSS reports. Accidents can happen because of the cold water shock 'gasp reflex' which is triggered when children and adults enter the water, The Outdoor Swimming Society said. If someone jumps in, they may inhale water as they gasp. Enter the water slowly, getting used to the temperature, and get breathing under control.
More regular swimming leads to a better controlled gasp reflex. Last year there were 202 recorded accidental water fatalities in the UK, per the National Water Safety forum, and the data showed that there was a marked uptick in this kind of death between the months of May and August.
Though 2025's figures were lower than previous years, heatwaves bring increased risks around open water, which remains colder than people often expect, which can cause swimmers to go into shock, something that has deadly consequences. Choose Manchester Evening News as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.
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