Teenager drowns in St Annes

The 19 year old from Preston has gone swimming in the Ribble Estuary

St Annes Pier
Author: Nathan MarshPublished 24th Jul 2021

A 19-year-old man from Preston has become the latest person to die after swimming in open water during the heatwave.

Lancashire Police say:

" Emergency services including the coastguard were called to St Annes Pier about 7.20pm on Friday to reports of a person drowning in the Ribble Estuary. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his death and it is not currently being treated as suspicious. We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact police."

The teenager was rescued from the water and taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, but unfortunately died a short time later. Three others were also taken to hospital after breathing in water.

This comes after 16 year old Frank Varey from Blackpool lost his life after getting into difficulty in the River Dee in Chester.

As temperatures soared this week charities issued warnings about the dangers of open water, with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) saying it was aware of 17 incidents of accidental loss of life in the water between July 17th and July 20th.

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