UK weather – Warning issued as temperatures soar to sweltering 27C after man drowns in lake tragedy
BRITS have been warned about cooling off in the heatwave as temperatures soar to a sweltering 27C after a man drowned in a lake tragedy.
The scorching weather will last the rest of the day before a breezier and showery Sunday – but the sunshine comes with a sinister warning.
A man died while swimming in a lake on Thursday to cool off from the record-breaking temperatures.
The 37-year-old got into difficulty at Pittville Park in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, at around 5.45pm as UK temperatures soared to a sizzling 29C.
Emergency crews raced to try to revive him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
And the lake tragedy wasn’t the only instance of dangerous diving, as police gave Brits a desperate warning to swim safely in the heat yesterday.
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A group of teenage boys were caught tombstoning at a reservoir in Saddleworth, Oldham on Friday afternoon.
The lads were given a strict word from police to be careful when jumping metres into the water from the rocky edges.
Tombstoning is dangerous because water can often be shallower than it appears from above.
Several thrillseekers jumping into the unknown from a cliff or pier have even died, with at least 20 fatalities since 2005.
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Vincent Wagstaff, 39, for example, was killed after landing on rocks near a yacht club in Plymouth, Devon.
Even near-misses, who have survived a terrifying leap, have ended in paralysis or other serious injuries.
A 29-year-old woman broke both of her legs after jumping from a 10ft high ledge into the water near Swanage in 2019.
In 2018, Josh Payne-Gover, 25, had to be airlifted to hospital after diving into shallow water at Weymouth Beach.
He broke his neck, had his lungs crushed and suffered severe spinal injuries after misjudging the water’s depth.
So Brits desperately need to beware when wild swimming and not get themselves into hot water while the heat lasts.
The National Water Safety forum advises: “Don’t jump into the unknown.
“Tombstoning involves jumping or diving from a height into water. It is a high-risk activity, which is unregulated and undertaken by unsupervised individuals.”
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Friday was the hottest day of the year so far for the third day in a row with sizzling highs of 32C, but the Met Office has predicted “very warm” weather again today.
The warm weather pushed the Met Office to issue a Level 3 Heat Health Alert amid the “rare climate change event”.
It warns of the increased risk to the vulnerable in the blazing sun.
Forecasters said: “Look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions.
“Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
“Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol, dress appropriately for the weather and slow down when it is hot.”
Sadly the sunshine won’t last until Sunday, which could be showery and much cooler than the recent heatwave.
WHY IS TOMBSTONING DANGEROUS?
- Water depth alters with the tide – the water may be shallower than it seems.
- Submerged objects like rocks may not be visible – they can cause serious injury if you jump onto them.
- The shock of cold water may make it difficult to swim.
- Strong currents in seas or rivers can rapidly sweep people away.
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