Boy, 15, found dead in canal in West Yorkshire on hottest day of year

21 July 2021, 11:00

The teenager died on the hottest day of the year.
The teenager died on the hottest day of the year. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

A 15-year-old boy was found dead in a canal in West Yorkshire on the hottest day of the year so far.

Police were called to a report of a concern for safety at 5:28pm on Tuesday, attending the scene in Stocking Lane, Knottingley.

Emergency services attended but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The boy's family are being supported by specialist officers, police said. 

Temperatures reached 32.2C on Tuesday afternoon - when the incident happened - peaking at Heathrow Airport in west London.

In the Knottingley area, there were highs of around 28C.

Read more: Three die as England records hottest day of the year with temperatures above 30C

It comes as police warned people of the dangers of swimming in open water during the hot weather.

Multiple fatalities were reported over the scorching weekend, including two teenagers who died in water in Greater Manchester and Oxfordshire on Sunday, along with a man in his 50s in North Yorkshire and a man in his 20s in Sheffield.

Another man's body was discovered in a lake at Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on Monday.

Read more: Girl, 3, suffers 'life-changing' injuries after being hit by e-scooter

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "This has been a tragic incident in which a boy has sadly lost his life and I would like to advise people of the dangers posed by open water.

"Even on days as hot as we have had recently, canals can still be very cold and cold water can cause cramps in even the strongest swimmers.

"Currents created by boats and water movements around locks and weirs can also be dangerous.

"There may also be items lurking beneath the surface that could cause injury."

West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the canal death.

The force is appealing for help from people in the area at the time, who may have witnessed the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log reference 1462 of July 20.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Jeffrey Donaldson

DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson 'charged with allegations of historic nature' as he steps down as party leader

Russia bombed Ukrainian infrastructure overnight

Russia launches 'massive attack' on Ukraine's power supplies, with 'energy security under growing threat'

Newry Magistrates' Court

Man, 61, charged with non-recent sexual offences in Northern Ireland

Drivers queuing in Dover on Friday morning

Holidaymakers hit with 2-hour Dover ferry waits amid strong winds, as 2.6m hit the roads for Good Friday getaway

The attack happened on a train in south London

Teenager charged with attempted murder after south London train stabbing, with victim still in critical condition

Mother Natalie Pinnell

Mother left in tears after daughter with complex needs 'erased' from school photo

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard have both been nominated to the Garrick Club

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard among seven women nominated for membership of all-male Garrick Club

Exclusive
Anneliese Dodds said Labour would make sure local people have 'skin in the game' with tackling inequality

'Rebuild has to start from ground up,' Labour's Anneliese Dodds says, and 'local people must have skin in the game'

Mohamed Mansour has been awarded a knighthood

Conservatives accused of 'cronyism' after donor who gave £5 million awarded knighthood in surprise honours list

Exclusive
Justin Welby recalled his experience of coping with his father's drinking as a teenager.

‘It was utterly isolating’: Archbishop of Canterbury recalls harrowing childhood with alcoholic father

More than 2 million drivers are set to hit the road on Good Friday.

Easter Carmageddon: Over two million drivers to hit the road on Good Friday after Storm Nelson travel chaos

Michael Gove has slammed the water firm as a 'disgrace'.

Thames Water bosses branded a ‘disgrace’ as Michael Gove tells firm ‘not to punish consumers’ for its failings

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster