Water safety warning from bereaved parents: "Ronalds was a good swimmer and we lost him"
17 year old Ronalds Abele's family are taking part in water safety events to mark World Drowning Prevention Day today.
A water safety event is being held at Wellingborough Embankment today to mark World Drowning Awareness day.
It's at the spot where 17 year old Ronalds Abele died after getting into difficulty in the water there in May 2024.
His parents are urging people to stay away from open water, as it's revealed young people are those most likely to lose their lives.
His mum Laura is urging parents to make themselves aware of water safety this summer, when drowning incidents peak:
"I know a lot of families, they're going for for family holiday trips, to beach, to lakes, doing water activities. Even before that I would suggest to the parents to probably look up for for any videos about water safety, awareness, about dangers about water, what can be in it, surroundings and everything. So when they are the place they can assess if it's safer, it's not and they should actually tell the kids, it's not safe."
National Water Safety Forum
Young people aged 10 to 29 account for over a quarter of accidental drowning deaths in the UK, according to new data released today by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) to mark World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July).
Figures from the Water Incident Database (WAID) show that 26% of all accidental drownings in the past five years (2020–2024 inclusive) involved individuals aged 10–29, making them the most high-risk demographic for accidental drownings, both costal and in-land, nationwide.
The risk is significantly heightened during warm weather, when higher temperatures encourage more people—particularly teenagers and young adults—to socialise or cool off in open water. Analysis from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and Bournemouth University has demonstrated that accidental drownings are three times more likely to occur on days when air temperatures exceed 25°C, compared to the seasonal average.
In response, the NWSF has launched “Find Your Float”, a national initiative to educate the public on the importance of self-rescue through floating. Floating is a proven technique that helps individuals stabilise their breathing and conserve energy in an emergency – but not everyone floats in the same way.
The campaign encourages people to practise this life-saving skill in safe and supervised settings such as lifeguarded beaches or swimming pools. The NWSF is also hosting public events across the UK on 25th July where participants can find out what floating looks and feels like for them.
One of those events is today at Wellingborough Embankment where the local fire service will also be attending to share safety advice.
Darren Carson is from the Northamptonshire service:
"One of the mottos we use is respective water and I think it's for people to understand that there's a there's a huge difference between swimming at your local pool where the temperature is pretty good, you've got lifeguards, it's very well supervised to, say, open water, swimming or wild swimming"
Life Saving Tips
This World Drowning Prevention Day, The Royal Life Saving Society are urging the public to actively encourage conversations with loved ones about how to stay safe whilst in, on and around water this summer.
Familiarise yourself with the steps of the Water Safety Code:
Stop and Think
Stay Together
Call 999
Float
You can learn more about our summer water safety advice by visiting the RLSS UK website and using the free resources and tools to help keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.