Drowning deaths have increased this year as more people have been drawn to the water during sizzling heatwaves.
Data from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) reveal that at least 50 people drowned between June and 16 August this year.
Last month, Britain recorded its hottest day on record as temperatures reached 40.3C in east England, prompting wildfires across the country and warnings about cooling off in reservoirs and open water.
The extreme weather has led to drought in parts of the country after five consecutive months of below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures.
River flows, groundwater levels and reservoir stocks all decreased during July, while thirteen Environment Agency-monitored rivers are at the lowest levels ever recorded and soil moisture deficit is comparable to that seen at the end of the 1976 drought.
According to the figures, 13 people drowned in June, 27 in July and 10 so far in August.
13-year-old Kacper Biela was one of the youngest drowning victims this summer. Emergency services arrived after reports that a teenager was in the sea and had not resurfaced on a Saturday evening.
Following an extensive search from the police, coastguard and lifeboat crews, the boy’s body was recovered at around 11.30pm on 13 August.
In a tribute on Facebook, Kevin Bishop, from Kacper’s football club said: “He was an exceptional player for the team and had recently been selected for the Hereford Football Academy.
“Kacper was a lovely boy on and off the pitch, and a credit to his family and club.
“All at the club are devastated by the news and ask that the family, management and his team mates are given the time and space at this most difficult time.”
Sean Norbert Anyanwu, 16, drowned in Bray Lake, near Maidenhead in Berkshire on one of the hottest days of the year. Emergency services were called to the lake just before midday on 18 July following reports he had gotten into difficulty.
The teenager was described as “the light” of his family said in a brief statement.
They added: “We are devastated by his loss and we would ask for our privacy to be respected while we grieve.”
13-year-old Robert Hattersley died after getting into difficulty in the River Tyne near Ovingham, Northumberland, on Sunday.
There have been several tragedies in waterways and reservoirs this summer
The Year 9 pupil was described by his school as a “well-loved member of the academy family, who immersed himself in all aspects of school life”.
A tribute from his family said the “kind and caring young man” brought a smile to so many people’s faces and he “will be missed by absolutely everyone who knew and loved him”.
Members of public and friends have given nearly £3,800 to a crowdfunding page set up following his death.
Pensioners have also been victim to drownings during the heatwave. A woman in her 80s also died after getting into difficulty on Walton-on-the-Naze beach on 10 August.
Robert Hattersley died after getting into difficulty in the water on of the hottest days of the year
