Water safety warning as temperatures rise in Manchester
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue are urging people to only swim in 'safe' places, not open water
Last updated 19th Apr 2018
As the temperatures start to rise and summer looks like it is just around the corner, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue are urging people to make sure they think before going for a swim in open water.
According to officers, crews from across Greater Manchester have rescued more than 86 people in the last two years.
Becky Ramsay's son, Dylan, drowned after getting into difficult in a quarry in June 2011:
"We were quite a close family, we would do everything together. Now, though, nothing feels right any more.
"I sit at home at night and I long for him to walk through that door. But it doesn't happen
"I'm not naive in the fact that I've not dealt with it. I know he's not going to walk through that door, but it doesn't stop you from longing for it, wanting it and waiting for someone to wake you up, to say it was a nightmare."
Dylan was 13 when he went to a quarry in Lancashire to play in the open water there. It is thought he suffered cold water shock when he jumped into the water and sadly later drowned.
His friend Ellie said:
"I never thought I'd lose Dylan, I thought I'd have him forever but now I don't have him anymore, no-one has him anymore. Stop your friends from doing something stupid, don't try and look clever or something because, if you lose them, I can't even begin to describe how horrible it feels to lose someone."
Paul Etches, Head of Prevention at GMFRS, said:
"We don't want to dampen anyone's fun, but we really want to make sure you're safe. With warm weather on the way we need to remind people that the water can still be very cold and cause cramp and breathing difficulties, which can affect your ability to swim and get out of trouble - and this is even the case for strong swimmers.
"Water can be far deeper and stronger than people think and there are unknown hazards that lie beneath the surface such as rocks, shopping trolleys and broken bottles or cans.
"Water can be tempting especially in warm weather, but the consequences can be fatal. Roughly half of people who drown had no intention of entering the water in the first place.
"Please only swim somewhere safe, such as a swimming pool. If you do see someone in an emergency, ring 999 and clearly explain where you are, providing nearby landmarks to the operator, but don't put yourself in danger."