Suggestions made to improve safety of nature reserves after 14-year-old boy drowns near Scunthorpe
The areas MP has also backed our campaign #GetWaterWise to raise awareness of the dangers of open water swimming
Suggestions are being made to improve the safety of nature reserves across Lincolnshire following the drowning of a 14-year-old boy near Scunthorpe.
Kai Gardner-Pugh died on Tuesday after getting into difficulty in the water at Ashby Ville.
We're being told that, over the years, others have died in similar circumstances.
It's led to calls for more safety measures.
Could we see life guards at nature reserves across Lincolnshire?
Andrea McKowen is from the RLSS, she has some suggestions of what can be done.
"If it's possible to actually have, not just rescue equipment, but somebody who actually could potentially affect a rescue, then that could be amazing.
"It depends on the conversations that you have to have locally.
"Lets get into schools and actually demonstrate to the kids how dangerous this is.
"If it's for slightly older people then community centres and things like that.
"Lets have these conversations with people locally and spread the word about how dangerous these particular venues are."
Scunthorpe's MP backs #GetWaterWise
Scunthorpe's MP, Holly Mumby-Croft, has now agreed to champion our water safety campaign.
"What's really important is that we get the message out there, through things like the campaign that you're running, to make people aware that open water swimming can, unfortunately, be incredibly dangerous.
"What's really important is that we allow the investigation to happen now and we learn from this terrible, terrible tragedy.
"My thoughts really are with the family of the young man who's lost his life.
"It's just one of the worse things imaginable and my thoughts and prayers are with them."
#GetWaterWise is looking to highlight the risks of open water swimming
Cold water, unexpected currents and hidden machinery can all play a part in causing deaths.
Over the past 5 years, 27 people have accidentally drowned in Lincolnshire.
It's after a 40% increase in the number of cases. In 2019 there were 5, rising to 7 in 2020.
Last year, the county had the 10th highest number of accidental drownings.
Follow this advice, and stay safe around water
During hot summer days, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and the sea can look really tempting.
But beneath the surface can lie hidden dangers, cold temperatures an unexpected currents.
The Royal Life Saving Society has this advice to stay safe.
Look out for lifeguards
If you're looking for a place to cool off always find a lifeguarded swimming site.
It’s colder than it looks
Water at open water and inland sites is often much colder than it looks, cold water can affect your ability to swim and self-rescue.
Don’t go too far
Always swim parallel to the shore, that way you're never too far away from it.
It's stronger than it looks
Currents in the water can be very strong. If you find yourself caught in a riptide – don't swim against it – you'll tire yourself out. Swim with the current and call for help.
Bring a friend
Always bring a friend when you go swimming so if anything goes wrong you've got someone there to help.