A body has been recovered from the River Ribble in Lancashire, believed to be that of a 12-year-old boy who went missing while swimming with friends. The discovery on Tuesday evening adds to a series of water-related tragedies during the UK's record-breaking May heatwave, which saw temperatures reach 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London, the hottest day in May on record.
Multiple Water Incidents Claim Lives
Over the Bank Holiday weekend, five people died in separate water incidents across the UK. In addition to the missing boy, a man in his 60s suffered a cardiac arrest after attempting to rescue two relatives at Tregirls Beach near Padstow, Cornwall. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Four teenagers also lost their lives in Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and Warwickshire.
Teenage Victims
Reco Puttock, 13, died in hospital after being pulled from Leadbeater Dam in Halifax, West Yorkshire. His mother, Sam Puttock, described him as close to his three sisters and said, "He loved being out with his friends." In Warwickshire, the body of a 16-year-old girl was recovered from a lake at Kingsbury Water Park. Witnesses reported that she had been with a group jumping from a bridge, though family members said she could not swim. A teenage boy also died at Rother Valley Country Park in South Yorkshire, and 15-year-old Declan Sawyer drowned at Swanholme Lakes in Lincolnshire on Sunday.
Search for Missing Boy
Police continue to search for a young boy who went missing in the River Ribble at Ribchester. Emergency services, including helicopters and drones, are involved in the operation. The boy got into difficulty while swimming with friends on Tuesday afternoon.
Record Heat and Safety Warnings
The Met Office confirmed that Tuesday was the hottest May day on record, with temperatures reaching 35.1C at Kew Gardens and 35C at Heathrow. An amber health alert has been extended into Thursday evening, warning of potential deaths among the elderly and vulnerable. Thunderstorm warnings are in place for the Midlands, with potential for frequent lightning, large hail, and heavy rain.
Water safety experts urge the public to choose lifeguarded locations and avoid swimming alone. The Royal Life Saving Society UK advises: "If you see someone in trouble, call 999, encourage them to float on their back, and throw something that floats." Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service warned that even on warm days, water can be dangerously cold, leading to cold water shock.
Transport Disruption
The heatwave also caused train cancellations and delays due to sagging overhead power lines and the risk of buckled tracks. South Western Railway and the Elizabeth Line reported disruptions, sparking criticism from passengers on social media.
