Yorkshire Water has today issued another warning urging the public not to swim in its reservoirs.
They want to avoid a repeat of last month’s tragedy when a Huddersfield man died in a reservoir.
With the current heatwave forecast to stay for at least another week, the water company has joined forces with three of the region’s emergency services to reiterate the message not to swim in reservoirs.
The warning comes just weeks after Jonathan David Pardon, a 38-year-old from Fartown, tragically died.
He was camping with friends near Snailsden Reservoir, near Hade Edge, when he went for a swim but died.
There was also an incident in Keighley where an eight-year-old boy had to be rescued from a waterfall and is “critically ill” in hospital.
Geoff Lomas, Recreation and Catchment Manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Reservoirs are extremely dangerous due to the chilling temperatures and the potential for strong under currents beneath the surface.
“What began as a day out in the sunshine can turn to tragedy within minutes if you decide to take a dip. It really doesn’t matter how well you can swim as it’s the cold which can kill you”.
West Yorkshire Fire Service Manager Ian Thompson, who is a Technical Rescue Officer, said: “Too often in the past people have been drawn to the cooling waters on a hot day, only to find that they are simply not capable of functioning in the low temperatures encountered in the deeper water”.
Police Inspector Dave Murray said: “Even during warm weather, water temperatures can be dangerously low. The water can also conceal rubbish, rocks, shallow areas, plants which can wrap around you, strong currents and diseases. If you want to go for swim, it’s best to use a swimming pool or lifeguard patrolled beach”.
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