Welsh mother urges parents to educate children on dangers of open water
Reuben Morgan drowned in Merthyr Tydfil's Pontsticill Reservoir when he was 15 years old
Last updated 25th Jul 2025
Over a quarter of accidental drownings are young people according to new research.
The National Water Safety Forum has found that 26% of all accidental drowning deaths in the past five years involved people aged between 10 and 29.
That makes them the most high-risk demographic, and with the Summer holidays upon us, there is likely to be an increase in the number of people entering open water like lakes and reservoirs.
The hot weather over Summer often leads to a spike in deaths in our rivers, lakes, seas and reservoirs.
Reuben Morgan drowned in Merthyr Tydfil's Pontsticill Reservoir when he was 15-year's old.
His mum, Maxine, is now urging other parents to be careful.
"It's incredibly important that parents know where they're children are going.
"That they know what to do if they are in a situation where they've fallen to water, and are using the Float To Live skills."
A spokesperson from the RLSS told us: "The most important thing is to make contact with them, shout to them and tell them you're going to try to help. Be sure to call 999, and in inland waters, ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.
"Your message from the side should be 'Float to Live'. Get them to put their head back, get their lungs full of air which will bring them up to the top of the water."
28 people drowned in Wales from accidental water-related fatalities in 2023 across inland and coastal locations, compared with 22 the previous year.
"I do this so that no other family has to go through the pain that we have."
Maxine is now urging parents and schools to educate young people on the dangers of open water swimming.
"He's missing from so many things. He's missing out of so many life events.
"Every day as well, really, you know, it's like yesterday for me. Every day, really.
"I relive this constantly.
"And I do this so that no other family has to go through the pain that we have".
Temperatures in reservoirs can reach incredibly low temperatures causing cold-water shock.
Cold water shock causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases the resistance of blood flow. Heart rate is also increased.
As a result the heart has to work harder and your blood pressure goes up.
Cold water shock can therefore cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy.
Maxine continues:
"Reuben was strong, fit, healthy. He would never have thought something like that would have happened to him.
"So I guess my message is: it can happen to anyone. It has happened and it can't happen again".
Water Safety Wales – a collaboration of organisations striving to reduce drowning in Wales – is issuing four lifesaving tips to help young people stay safe when visiting open water:
• Stop and think: Is it a safe place to swim? Are there hazards beneath the water? Are there hidden currents or fast-flowing water? How deep is it and can you get out easily?
• Stay together: Always go with someone else
• Float: If you get into trouble in the water, float to live until you feel calm
• Call 999 or 112: If you see someone else in trouble in the water