Rescue teams are conducting an extensive search of a country park in Yorkshire after a teenage boy went missing in the water on what was the hottest day of the year. Emergency services were called to Rother Valley Park in Rotherham shortly before 7pm on Monday, as temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius.
The teenager had been seen entering one of the park's four lakes but was not observed emerging from the water. Despite efforts by emergency crews and a helicopter that worked through the night, the missing person has not yet been located.
Search Operation Underway
Rother Valley Park spans approximately three square kilometres, near the border of Rotherham with Sheffield and Derbyshire. A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police stated: 'We were called to Rother Valley Country Park at 6.50pm following reports that a teenage boy had entered the water but had not been seen getting out. Officers are in attendance alongside emergency crews from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and efforts are ongoing to try and find him. The search is continuing into the night, and updates will be provided as soon as possible.'
Record-Breaking Heatwave
The boy's disappearance occurred on a day when nine British counties experienced record-breaking temperatures amid a heatwave described as 'historic'. The 34.8 degrees Celsius recorded at Kew Gardens in south-west London made it the hottest May Day on record, surpassing the previous high set 82 years ago. In Rotherham, temperatures peaked at around 32 degrees Celsius on Monday afternoon. Crews searching for the missing teenager at Rother Valley Park had to contend with temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius during the night.
Warnings About Water Safety
Authorities had previously warned Britons about the dangers of swimming in reservoirs and lakes ahead of the weekend heatwave. Tragedy struck in Lincolnshire when 15-year-old Declan Sawyer died in a lake near his family home on Sunday, as temperatures reached 27 degrees Celsius. A large search operation was mounted after Declan was reported to have gotten into difficulty while swimming in Swanholme Lakes. Lincolnshire Police later confirmed that his body had been recovered from the water on Sunday evening. His aunt, Lindsay Sawyer, paid tribute on Facebook, writing: 'Words cannot describe how utterly heartbroken we are... how life can change so fast and in such a tragic way... we loved you like you was our own, looking at all the amazing memories you shared with us... RIP Declan forever in our hearts... x.'
Elsewhere, a man died in Hastings on Sunday while spending his afternoon on a crowded beach. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, responded to a 'medical incident'. The man tragically passed away at the scene on the beach near Warrior Square in St Leonards. A Sussex Police spokesperson said: 'Emergency services responded to a medical incident on the beach near Warrior Square, St Leonards, following concerns for a man's welfare. Officers assisted with the emergency response after the incident was reported at 11am on 24 May. Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man was declared deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. There were no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner.'
