Individuals are swimming in harmful water, says Northants council

A director of public well being has shared her “extreme concern” at reviews younger individuals are swimming in harmful areas of open water.

North Northamptonshire Council’s Dr Jane Bethea expressed her unease in an open letter shared on the authority’s web site.

Bethea mentioned individuals had been seen swimming at The Embankment in Wellingborough, the place teenager Ronalds Abele drowned in 2024.

Her warning comes forward of rising temperatures for the remainder of this week, and following a number of fatalities nationally throughout final month’s heatwave.

The director of public well being mentioned the council had alerted companions together with Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service after “younger residents” entered the water earlier this week.

She wrote: “They were not only seen swimming in a spot which is known to pose danger, but they also appeared to be unaccompanied by an adult.

“I urge you all to hear once I say that I counsel strongly in opposition to swimming, paddling or leaping in all undesignated waterways.

Bethea mentioned that many in style swimming spots weren’t regulated and don’t have “on-demand safety staff” to help if hazard arises.

Risks of swimming in such circumstances embody chilly water shock and unseen risks similar to sturdy currents or objects beneath the water {that a} swimmer may develop into tangled in.

“The water can and does kill,” Bethea warned.

Anyone who sees an individual in misery within the water is requested to name 999 instantly, and, if potential, use the What3words app to explain the precise location.

They are additionally suggested to inform the particular person within the water to drift on their again and if potential throw a buoyancy assist as an alternative of coming into the water themselves.

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