A 19-year-old man has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Grasmere, a popular beauty spot in the Lake District.
Emergency response
Emergency services were called to Grasmere lake in Cumbria at around 4.35pm on Saturday (August 8) following reports that a young man had got into difficulty. An air ambulance was among those sent to the scene, and the teenager was taken to hospital, where he later died.
Cumbria Police have confirmed the death and are now appealing for witnesses to help establish the circumstances.
Police statement
In a statement, Cumbria Police said: "Emergency services were called at around 4.35pm yesterday (8 Aug) to Grasmere lake following reports that a young man had gotten into difficulty in the water.
"Emergency services including an air ambulance attended and a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital but has subsequently died.
"The teenager's family have been made aware.
"Whilst the death is not being treated as suspicious, police would encourage anyone who witnessed what occurred to come forward to assist in establishing the circumstances."
The force added: "Police would also like to thank those who came to the teenager’s aid, including those who helped get him to shore.
"If you have any information which could assist, you can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit quoting incident number 201 of 8 August 2026. You can also phone on 101."
Water safety campaign
Grasmere is one of the smaller lakes of the Lake District, spanning about a mile long. The incident has prompted renewed attention on water safety, with a campaign called Save Lives For Sam calling for urgent action to make waters safer, including compulsory water safety lessons in schools and better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways.
