The body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered near a reservoir over the weekend in what police called a “sad reminder of the dangers of entering open water”.
Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a boy getting into difficulty in the water near Cowbury Reservoir, Stalybridge, at around 6.30pm on Saturday and a body was recovered later that evening.
Chief Inspector Helen Baxter said: “Yesterday’s events are nothing short of devastating and my thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the young boy who sadly lost his life in such awful circumstances.
“We are confident that there are no suspicious circumstances and that this is such a sad reminder of the dangers of entering open water.
“We remind the public to please avoid being tempted to cool off in reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.
“We all want to enjoy the warm weather; please make sure you do so in a safe way.”
Seven people have now died in water-related incidents during the recent heatwave, following on from 15 in May’s.
Brody Leach’s body was recovered from the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on Saturday morning, West Mercia Police said.
The force said the 22-year-old was last seen alive swimming in the river on Friday when he apparently got into trouble.
Meanwhile, officers searching for a missing 15-year-old boy last seen in the water at Testwood Lakes near Southampton have found a body, Hampshire Police said on Saturday.
“The boy’s family have been informed and formal identification has taken place. His family are being supported by specially-trained officers,” the force added.
Essex Police has also confirmed the death of a 69-year-old man in Clacton on Friday.
Officers said they were called to a medical emergency in Marine Parade East at just after 11am on Friday after reports of a man in difficulty in the sea.
The force said: “Officers, paramedics, the fire service and coastguard all attended. Sadly, despite colleagues’ best efforts, a 69-year-old man died at the scene.”
West Midlands Police said on Saturday evening that the body of a woman had been recovered from a pool in Sandwell Valley Country Park after she went missing in the water just after 4:30pm.
The force said: “Sadly, nothing could be done to save her and she was confirmed deceased at the scene. Our thoughts are with her family at this tragic time.
“Her death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and we will be liaising with the coroner.”
Earlier in the week, a 50-year-old man was also pronounced dead at Aberavon beach on the south coast of Wales, and Police recovered the body of a teenage boy from a lake in Syston, Leicestershire.
Subscribe for free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.
During the May heatwave, at least 15 people, the majority of whom were children, drowned whilst swimming in open water.
It prompted widespread warnings about the dangers of trying to cool off with a swim in the sea, lake or river, as the water is often much colder than expected and can cause cold water shock syndrome that can prove prove fatal.
Wednesday was the first of three consecutive days in which the hottest June day on record was broken.
Friday was confirmed by the Met Office as the UK’s hottest June day on record, with a provisional temperature of 37.3C recorded in Santon Downham, Suffolk, surpassing the high of 36.7C recorded in Merryfield, Somerset, on Thursday.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…