Article date – 07 June 2018
The announcement comes following the deaths of two teenagers in Greater Manchester this week whose bodies were found in reservoirs in unrelated incidents – while the council has also received reports of young children swimming in open waters in the Parr area of the borough.
St Helens Council’s portfolio holder for safer communities, Councillor Anthony Burns has stressed the importance of staying clear of lakes, ponds and reservoirs as temperatures soar because of the fatal consequences swimming in these types of environments can often lead to.
“Under no circumstances must anyone attempt to swim in open-water,” Councillor Burns said. “Sadly, this type of risk has resulted in tragic outcomes recently and even the strongest of swimmers can become overwhelmed by ice cold water and drown.
“Swimming is an activity many of us enjoy during the weather is nice – but this should be done in supervised areas only such as leisure centre swimming pools.”
