A council has issued water safety advice following the death of a 16-year-old boy who entered the water at Colwick Country Park yesterday (30) evening.
Nottinghamshire Police this morning confirmed a body had been recovered following a search.
Nottinghamshire City Council’s Cllr Sam Lux, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture, said: “As the current warm spell continues and as we approach the summer season we urge people to follow the guidance at Colwick park and other sites and not enter the water unless as part of properly supervised open water swimming sessions.”
There are many hidden dangers in open water:
- The water may look calm on the surface, but there may still be strong undercurrents that can pull even the strongest swimmers under.
- The water may also feel relatively warm on the surface, but just a few feet below it will be icy cold even in hot weather and can very quickly induce shock, cause severe cramp and hypothermia.
- As well as currents; plants, reeds, and rocks can also be present below the surface of the water. Though they might sound harmless, rocks can be sharp and reeds can get caught around limbs.
More information on water safety is available as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Be Water Aware campaign: Be Water Aware – NFCC and Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service: Water safety – NFRS
Cllr Lux added: “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the young person who has sadly died.
“We will be working with Notts Police and Notts Fire and Rescue Service to understand the full circumstances of what happened but we join with them in highlighting the extreme dangers that open water such as lakes, rivers, quarries or canals can present.”
