Two more boys die in latest heatwave water deaths

Two teenage boys have died in separate incidents in Kent and Oxford, the latest in a series of water-related deaths during the recent heatwave.

The body of a boy, 15, was recovered from a pond in Swanscombe, Kent, and a 14-year-old boy died in the River Thames in Oxford.

Their deaths on Wednesday bring the total number of people who have died in water-related incidents during the hot weather to at least 11.

Kent Police found the boy's body after officers were called to "concerns for a swimmer" shortly before 15:00 BST, while the 14-year-old's body was recovered near Donnington Bridge, Oxford, after emergency crews were alerted at about 17:30.

Thames Valley Police said the Oxford death was "unexplained but not suspicious".

Young people have also died in water-related incidents in Lincoln, Halifax, Rotherham, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Farnborough and Lancashire, along with a man in his 60s in Cornwall and a woman in her 70s in Wales.

Several of the victims have been named and tributes paid, while others have not yet been formally identified by police.

• 'This is why rivers and lakes are so dangerous to swim in'

Their deaths have prompted a warning by Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) about cold water shock.

The RLSS said: "Warmer weather unfortunately sees an increase in accidental drownings."

On Tuesday, the UK recorded the hottest day in May with temperatures reaching 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London.

The water-related deaths confirmed in recent days are:

• At Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln, Declan Sawyer, 15, was found dead after emergency crews were called to reports of him getting into difficulty at about 14:30 on Sunday

• Also on Sunday, a 72-year-old woman was pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach, Pembrokeshire in Wales

• On Bank Holiday Monday, a 13-year-old boy named locally as Reco Puttock was pronounced dead after being pulled from Leadbeater Dam in Halifax, West Yorkshire; the body of a teenage girl, Lillianna Tomlinson thought to be aged 16, was recovered from Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire; and the body of a teenage boy was recovered from a lake in Rother Valley Country Park in Rotherham, South Yorkshire

• Also on Monday, a man in his 60s died after running into the sea to help two relatives who had got into difficulty at Tregirls Beach near Padstow, Cornwall, police said

• On Tuesday, 12-year-old Junior Slater died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble in Lancashire. His family have paid tribute to "our little blue-eyed boy"

• On Wednesday, Cheshire police found a body in Pickmere Lake during the search for a 17-year-old boy who went missing after swimming at the beauty spot

• On the same day, the body of a teenage boy who reportedly went missing after going swimming was recovered by police at Hawley Lake near Farnborough

Neighbourhood Watch Swanscombe sent their "deepest condolences to the family, friends and those affected by the incident".

The group also thanked its volunteers who helped with traffic management as emergency services responded, and praised the "fast response" of crews at the scene.

Local MP Jim Dickson said: "This is a deeply tragic incident and I know his loss will be felt across our community.

The MP for Dartford added: "My deepest sympathies go out to everyone who knew him and will be affected by this tragedy."

For two days in a row earlier this week, parts of south-east England went above 34C.

Nearly all weather stations across England and Wales also broke their local May temperature records on Monday and Tuesday.

The Met Office says a heatwave happens when an area reaches a certain high temperature for at least three days in a row.

Wednesday brought a reprieve from the record-breaking temperatures which have likely peaked, as cooler air moves over northern and eastern areas of England.

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