Teenager is 10th person to die in water during heatwave

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Two teenage boys have died in separate incidents in Kent and Oxford, the latest in a series of water-related deaths during the recent heatwave.

The body of a boy, 15, was recovered from a pond in Swanscombe, Kent, and a 14-year-old boy died in the River Thames in Oxford.

Their deaths on Wednesday bring the total number of people who have died in water-related incidents during the hot weather to at least 11.

Kent Police found the boy’s body after officers were called to “concerns for a swimmer” shortly before 15:00 BST, while the 14-year-old’s body was recovered near Donnington Bridge, Oxford, after emergency crews were alerted at about 17:30.

Thames Valley Police said the Oxford death was “unexplained but not suspicious”.

Young people have also died in water-related incidents in Lincoln, Halifax, Rotherham, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Farnborough and Lancashire, along with a man in his 60s in Cornwall and a woman in her 70s in Wales.

Several of the victims have been named and tributes paid, while others have not yet been formally identified by police.

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Their deaths have prompted a warning by Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) about cold water shock.

The RLSS said: “Warmer weather unfortunately sees an increase in accidental drownings.”

On Tuesday, the UK recorded the hottest day in May with temperatures reaching 35.1C at Kew Gardens in London.

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The water-related deaths confirmed in recent days are:

• Also on Sunday, a 72-year-old woman was pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach, Pembrokeshire in Wales

• On Tuesday, 12-year-old Junior Slater died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble in Lancashire. His family have paid tribute to “our little blue-eyed boy”

Neighbourhood Watch Swanscombe sent its “deepest condolences to the family, friends and those affected by the incident”.

The group also thanked its volunteers who helped with traffic management as emergency services responded, and praised the “fast response” of crews at the scene.

Local MP Jim Dickson said: “This is a deeply tragic incident and I know his loss will be felt across our community.

The MP for Dartford added: “My deepest sympathies go out to everyone who knew him and will be affected by this tragedy.”

For two days in a row earlier this week, parts of south-east England went above 34C.

Nearly all weather stations across England and Wales also broke their local May temperature records on Monday and Tuesday.

The Met Office says a heatwave happens when an area reaches a certain high temperature for at least three days in a row.

Wednesday brought a reprieve from the record-breaking temperatures, which have likely peaked, as cooler air moves over northern and eastern areas of England.

The UK Health Security Agency has extended yellow heat health alerts for London, the South East and East of England until 20:00 BST on Saturday, warning that sustained hot weather can pose risks to vulnerable people.

Older adults, young children and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk, particularly during sudden temperature rises.

Temperatures have exceeded 30C for six consecutive days in parts of the UK, with another hot day on Thursday.

It will turn slightly cooler on Friday, before warming again on Saturday.

More unsettled and cooler conditions are forecast from Sunday into early next week.

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Kent Police