Open water swimming warning after death at Ulley Reservoir

Emergency services in South Yorkshire have issued a warning about open water swimming after a man died in Ulley Reservoir last night.

The man hasn't been named by South Yorkshire Police yet, but his family have been told.

Even though officers are urging people not to speculate about the cause of death, Chief Inspector Mark Goddard said: “Yesterday’s incident has left us all shaken, and my heart goes out to the man's family and loved ones – a truly tragic loss of life."

“While I would ask people to avoid speculation as to the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, I would urge everyone to be mindful of the serious danger posed by swimming in open water.”

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have also echoed that warning.

Fire service Area Manager, Simon Dunker, said: “This is a tragic incident, and the thoughts of all at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue are with this man’s friends and family at this sad time.

“Unfortunately we have seen far too many people lose their lives in open water this year, and we stand with our police colleagues in urging people to be extremely careful around open water – especially as the nights draw in and temperatures drop colder.”

In a joint statement, the services said "freezing temperatures, hidden currents and debris underneath the water can pose grave dangers" to inexperienced open water swimmers.

It's the second tragedy there this year, a teenage boy died at the reservoir in May.

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