Boy, 16, drowns in second tragedy at lake in just seven weeks

A swimming area in Lincolnshire has witnessed its second tragic drowning in weeks as locals try to cool off in Swanholme Lakes.

Around 5pm yesterday, police were called to reports that a 16-year-old boy got into difficulty at the lake.

Lincolnshire Police have since confirmed that the teenager died at 8.50pm after being recovered from the water and taken to the hospital.

It comes just weeks after the teenager Declan Sawyer, 15, died after getting into trouble in the water on May 24 during another heat wave.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: ‘Our officers, along with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, were deployed and recovered the boy from the water.

‘He was treated at the scene by colleagues from East Midlands Ambulance Service and initially responded to treatment.’

They added: ‘His parents were with him at the hospital. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we send our condolences at this incredibly difficult time.

‘We appreciate that such tragic news will be difficult to process as a community, and anyone affected is encouraged to seek help and support where they need it.

‘We respectfully ask that people do not speculate or share information that has not come from an official source, as inaccurate information can be very upsetting to family and friends.’

A file will be passed to the coroner.

Leaders have made fresh calls for people not to enter open water, with the City of Lincoln Council set to approve a pilot project next week for wardens to monitor the city’s open spaces and lakes.

Seven people died across the UK after getting into difficulty in water during last month’s record-breaking heatwave.

The death toll rose after the body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered from Cowbury Reservoir in Stalybridge, Tameside.

The first death linked to the June heatwave and open water swimming was that of a 50-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at Aberavon beach on the south coast of Wales.

In France, drowning deaths linked to the heatwave topped more than 60 within a week. Within one 24-hour period during the heat wave, Paris recorded 109 heat-related deaths.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@usnewsrank.com.

For more stories like this, check our news page.