Open water advocates say bans and warnings aren’t working and better swimming education will save lives
It has been a week of tragedies in England’s waters. At least 17 people have drowned cooling off in the heatwave, including a man who went missing on a blow-up unicorn in a Wakefield lake and a 16-year-old boy in the River Dee near Chester.
On Friday the Coastguard issued a plea to those visiting the coast to leave the inflatables at home and to “think twice” before taking risks in the sea. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service went further, saying: “We urge people not to go into open water, no matter how hot it is outside.”
