Five people have died in UK waters during the country's hottest June on record after getting into difficulty while swimming. The death toll linked to the ongoing hot spell rose to five after the body of a man was pulled from the River Severn in Shrewsbury on June 27.
River Severn victim identified
West Mercia Police confirmed that divers recovered the body of Brody Leach, 22, who was last seen alive early on Friday morning when he got into difficulty, sparking a large emergency response.
Teenager found dead in Southampton lake
In Southampton, divers searching for a 15-year-old schoolboy who went missing on June 24 after swimming in the Testwood Lakes nature reserve found a body on June 27. Police confirmed the family has been informed and formal identification has been carried out.
Tributes for 13-year-old in Lancashire
Tributes have poured in for Hayden Jones-Powell, 13, whose body was recovered from Meynell Lake in Syston, Lancashire, on June 26. His parents said: 'We want him to be remembered by his big smile. His love of animals, his passion towards football and being outside. Hayden also had an amazing sense of humour and was extremely quick-witted. We don't know how we will cope without him.' The alarm was raised after the teen failed to return from a swim on Thursday afternoon during one of the hottest days. Wreake Valley Academy said his death has 'deeply affected everyone at our school and we are providing support to students, staff, and families who need it.'
Elderly man dies at Clacton beach
Police in Essex confirmed the death of a 69-year-old man in Clacton who got into difficulty in the sea on June 26. Essex Police stated: 'Officers, paramedics, the fire service and coastguard all attended. Sadly, despite colleagues' best efforts, a 69-year-old man died at the scene.'
First heatwave drowning in Wales
The first death linked to the heatwave and open water swimming was that of a 50-year-old man pronounced dead on June 25 at Aberavon beach on the south coast of Wales.
Heatwave deaths across Europe
In France, drowning deaths linked to the heatwave reached 55 since June 18, with Paris recording 109 heat deaths in the last 24 hours alone. In Spain, the death toll from heat-related illness reached 212 since June 21 as the heat dome continues to grip western and central Europe.
