UK Heatwave Sees Multiple Drowning Incidents, 14 Deaths Reported

A 15-year-old girl, who died after getting into difficulties in the sea off the coast of Merseyside, wanted to be a nurse so she could “give back”, her family said in a tribute. Chiedza Nyanjowa, from Cheshire, was taken to Alder Hey children’s hospital after swimming at Formby beach on bank holiday Monday, Merseyside police said. Members of the public had tried to help Chiedza and she died in hospital on Saturday, the force said. The number of people who have died after getting into difficulties in bodies of water during the current heatwave has reached 14. Merseyside police said: “Her family would like to express their gratitude to everyone that helped Chiedza. “Her family are glad that there were people around her to support her; their support shows that she was loved. “This is a difficult time for the family, who would appreciate any form of prayer. “Her family describe her as a bubbly person. She loved Christ and going to church. “She loved cooking, she was a giver and wanted to be a nurse when she grew up so she could give back. “She will be greatly missed and remembered for her kind spirit.” A report on Chiedza’s death has been passed to Sefton coroner’s office. In a separate incident, Nottinghamshire police said emergency services were called to Balderton Lake, off Heron Way in New Balderton, at 2.35pm on Thursday after reports of a man entering the water. A 19-year-old, who had been at the lake with friends, was recovered from the water and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. On Saturday, the force said the man had not survived, adding his family has been informed and were being supported by specialist officers. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the coroner, police said. The chief inspector for Newark, Clive Collings, said: “During hot weather we know people want to keep cool but open waters are exceptionally dangerous as there is no way of telling what’s beneath the surface.” In Norfolk, emergency services are continuing to search for a man in the River Yare at Surlingham. Search teams from the police, fire, coastguard and air ambulance services were called to a stretch of the river near Ferry Road on Friday at 2.33pm after reports of concern for the safety of a man, Norfolk constabulary said. Searches using specialist equipment, including drones, thermal-imaging cameras and sonar, were carried out into the early hours of Saturday and resumed later that morning. The sweltering conditions have attracted many people to open-water swimming, resulting in a number of deaths in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Pembrokeshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire over recent days. On Tuesday, England and Wales experienced their hottest May days on record as temperatures soared to 35.1C in Kew Gardens, west London, while 32.9C was measured at Cardiff’s Bute Park, the Met Office said. The Royal Life Saving Society has issued a warning after the fatal incidents saying water temperatures remained very cold despite increased air temperatures, and cold water shock can make swimming difficult and harder to get out of the water. Anyone who sees someone in an emergency in the water should call 999, stay out of the water themselves and throw them something that floats, such as a plastic water bottle or football for them to hold on to, the RLSS added.