An 18-year-old man tragically lost his life in a reservoir in Greater Manchester during the intense heatwave.
On Friday evening, emergency services rushed to Dovestones Reservoir in Oldham after receiving reports of a teenager struggling in the water. Despite the efforts of paramedics, the young man was declared deceased at the scene. The Manchester Evening News stated that he was found unresponsive in the water as rescue teams converged on the Saddleworth nature reserve.
Witnesses observed a significant presence of police cars, fire engines, ambulances, and an air ambulance, with a cordon being established at the site. Greater Manchester Police is actively investigating the incident.
Detective Inspector Steven Horton from GMP’s Oldham district expressed, “We sadly recovered the body of an 18-year-old man from the water and are conducting thorough investigations to determine the complete circumstances. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this challenging period.”
Horton also emphasized the dangers of open water, urging the public to avoid entering large bodies of water like reservoirs, rivers, canals, or ponds for their safety.
This marks the second tragedy in Greater Manchester within a day, following the death of a 49-year-old man in Alexandra Park, Stockport. Numerous individuals, especially young people, have lost their lives in open water areas across the country this summer due to the scorching heatwave.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a warning about a potential rise in drowning incidents as temperatures are forecasted to remain above 30C over the weekend. Experts caution about the risks of cold water shock and drowning in open water sites, highlighting the persistent danger posed by cold lakes and reservoirs.
In response to the growing drowning crisis, the Mirror has initiated the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign. This campaign advocates for mandatory water safety education in schools, a national awareness drive, improved lifesaving equipment at high-risk water bodies, the implementation of Sam’s Law, and the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Water Safety. Learn more about the campaign and show your support here.
