A 19-year-old man has tragically died after entering a lake in Nottinghamshire, bringing the number of water-related deaths during the recent spell of hot weather to 15.
Police were alerted at around 2.30pm on Thursday to reports that a man had entered the water at Balderton Lake in New Balderton, near Newark.
Police, firefighters and paramedics attended the scene and pulled the 19-year-old from the water. The man, who had been at the lake with friends, was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, Nottinghamshire Live reports.
In an update on Saturday, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that the young man had sadly died. Police said his family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Chief Inspector Clive Collings said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are solely with this young man’s family. We recognise this will be very upsetting for the local community and we encourage people to access support if they need it.
“During hot weather we know people want to keep cool but open waters are exceptionally dangerous as there is no way of telling what’s beneath the surface.”
Group manager Charlotte Weatherall-Smith, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of this young man at this incredibly difficult time.
“This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected. Incidents like this are a stark reminder of the dangers that open water can present.
“Even on warm and sunny days, water temperatures can be much colder than they appear, and entering the water can lead to cold water shock, which can be sudden, severe and potentially fatal.
Article continues below
“If you see someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service. Encourage the person to float on their back to help them stay calm and conserve energy. For your own safety, please do not enter the water or attempt a rescue yourself, as this can put additional lives at risk.”
The 15 victims of fatal water-related incidents are:
- Baltazar L’Qui, 14 – River Thames, Donnington Bridge
- Declan Sawyer, 15 – Swanholme Lakes, Lincolnshire
- Reco Puttock, 13 – Leadbeater Dam, West Yorkshire
- Muhammed Secka, 17 – Rother Valley Country Park, South Yorkshire
- An unnamed girl – Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire
- Junior Slater, 12 – River Ribble, Lancashire
- David Tita Jr, 17 – Pick Mere Lake, Cheshire
- An unnamed boy – Hawley Lake, Hampshire
- A man in his 60s – Padstow, Cornwall
- A woman, 72 – West Angle Bay beach, Pembrokeshire
- An unnamed boy – Swanscombe, Kent
- Charlie Noble, 16 – Bracklinn Falls, Stirling
- Chiedza Nyanjowa, 15 – Formby Beach, Merseyside
- An unnamed man in his 40s – River Yare, the Norfolk Broads
- An unnamed man, 19 – Balderton Lake, Nottinghamshire