A grieving mother whose son drowned in 2020 has issued a desperate plea for sunseekers to avoid open water as the UK braces for a scorching heatwave that could see temperatures hit 38°C, potentially the hottest June day on record.
Joanne Howlett, 61, from Norwich, Norfolk, lost her 25-year-old son Lewis when he drowned at Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in 2020. Speaking as the Met Office issued an amber extreme heat warning for most of southern England, the Midlands, and east Wales, she warned others not to risk their lives by swimming in rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Mother's Heartbreaking Warning
Joanne, who backs the Daily Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' water safety campaign, said: "Losing Lewis will stay with me forever, it changes your life to lose someone like that. I want people to be aware that swimming in any open water holds a huge risk and could cost you your life. However safe and calm the water looks there are hidden dangers beneath the surface."
She highlighted the risk of cold water shock, which can affect people suddenly, especially on hot days. "Open water swimming may seem like a good way to stay cool especially during a heatwave and has become a very trendy thing to do in recent years but it is extremely dangerous and puts a serious risk on your life. There needs to be more awareness, better education in schools and the local authorities need to ban swimming in unsafe areas."
Her warning comes after 13 children and six adults drowned over a seven-day period in May. Joanne added: "Losing a child to drowning changes your life and I wouldn't want this happening to any other family."
Heatwave Forecast and Alerts
Forecasters predict temperatures will soar to 38°C this week, surpassing the previous June record of 35.6°C set in Southampton in 1976. The Met Office's deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said: "The warmth will expand and intensify at the start of this week, which - coupled with high temperatures overnight and high humidity - leads to potential impacts."
The amber extreme heat warning covers most of southern England, central and eastern Wales, and much of the Midlands on Monday and Tuesday, expanding to include parts of Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, and Cheshire on Wednesday and Thursday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued separate amber heat health alerts for most of England from Monday morning until Friday night, with a yellow alert for north-east England.
The stifling heat could cause delays and disruption to travel networks and power supplies, with potential health impacts for vulnerable people and an increased risk of water safety incidents.
Safety Advice and Wider Impact
The Met Office advises people to drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun, and avoid exercise between 11am and 3pm. Meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: "Water safety as well is going to be paramount if you are by the coast or other water bodies in land as well, and do follow the safety advice of relative authorities in order to avoid the cold water shock."
The heatwave is also affecting Europe, with temperatures forecast to hit 37°C in Rome, 39°C in Madrid, and 40°C in France, where emergency services and military forces have been put on wildfire alert. In the UK, thousands flocked to Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire to see the sunrise on the longest day of the year.
NHS England reported that visits to its hay fever advice webpage have more than doubled in the past week. Chief nursing officer Duncan Burton warned: "People should be careful not to double-dose on medication which might make them drowsy, particularly if planning to drive."
Campaign for Water Safety
The Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign, named after 16-year-old Sam Haycock who drowned in Ulley Reservoir in Rotherham in 2021, calls for an immediate public awareness campaign to prevent the 33 children who drown in England every year - "the equivalent of a classroom of children lost". Campaigners describe drowning in the UK as an "epidemic" and a "national emergency".
Joanne Howlett fully supports the campaign: "I support the Mirror's campaign wholeheartedly. It is such a worthwhile campaign and anything that will help save a life and for people not to have to suffer from the heartbreak as we do is applaudable."
