Boy, 16, dies after going swimming in lake during heatwave

18 July 2022, 14:54 | Updated: 18 July 2022, 15:14

Police warned over swimming in open water after a man's death at Ardsley Reservoir
Police warned over swimming in open water after a man's death at Ardsley Reservoir. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

A teenage boy has died after going for a swim in a lake in Maidenhead as the country swelters in what is set to be record-breaking heat.

Thames Valley Police said they were called at 11.45am to reports of a 16-year-old boy in difficulty in the water in Bray Lake, Maidenhead.

Multiple emergency responders raced to the scene but police confirmed that following this search, the body of a boy was located at just after 1.30pm and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Superintendent Michael Greenwood, the LPA Commander for Windsor & Maidenhead said: “This is an absolute tragedy in which a young boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water of Bray Lake.

Read more: Schools and tourist attractions shut as Britain soars to '43C hottest day ever'

Read more: 'Giant' burst pipe floods busy London high street amid heatwave

“The boy’s next of kin have been notified and are being offered support at this extremely difficult and traumatic time.

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of all of us at Thames Valley Police are with the boy’s family and his friends, and we would ask that their privacy is respected.”

The heatwave has caused a number of tragedies with people swimming in unsafe open water.

A 13-year-old boy died after going missing in a river in Ovingham, Northumberland, and emergency services have made urgent appeals for people to stay out of dangerous waterways and reservoirs.

A 16-year-old boy died in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, and a 50-year-old man died in a reservoir near Leeds.

Northumbria Police said a body was found after an extensive search for the missing boy in Ovingham, which started shortly before 4.15pm on Sunday.

A spokesman said: "We received a report of concern for the welfare of a boy who had come into trouble in the river near Ovingham.

"Emergency services were deployed to the area and searches for the boy, aged 13, were carried out by a number of organisations including police, Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service, Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and Mountain Rescue.

"Sadly, a body has since been found in the water. Formal identification is yet to take place but police believe it to be the missing boy."

He added: "This is an absolutely tragic update that we sincerely hoped we would never have to give."

Police in Leeds urged people to stay away from dangerous bodies of water following the death at Ardsley Reservoir.

Officers were called to a report that a man had got into difficulty in the water at 5.30pm on Saturday and the body of the 50-year-old was found on Sunday.

Detective Inspector Phil Hughes, of Leeds CID, said: "This is a tragic incident in which a man has lost his life. Specially trained officers are supporting his family at this difficult time.

"This incident serves as a timely reminder about the dangers of swimming in open water.

"The weather is due to get hotter this week. I would urge people to not enter or swim in reservoirs or open waters."

In Greater Manchester, a 16-year-old boy died after he was seen struggling in the water at Salford Quays at around 6.15pm on Saturday.

Police, fire and ambulance services were called and a body was later located and recovered by specialist divers.

Detective Inspector Joanne Johnston, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are doing all we can to support the boy's family at this incredibly difficult time, and we are focused on ensuring they get the answers they deserve as to how this tragedy occurred.

"From our inquiries so far, we are confident that there are no suspicious circumstances and that this is such a sad reminder of the dangers of entering open water, whatever the weather."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Germany's

NATO at risk of Russia attack in next four years, warns German defence chief

Boulder, Colorado, USA. 1st June, 2025. Police investigate the scene of an 'act of terror' in and talk with witnesses on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. (Credit Image: © Colorado Sun via ZUMA Press Wire)

'Targeted terror attack' in Colorado as petrol bombs reportedly thrown at pro-Israel group, several injured

One young user of single-use vapes told me the ban doesn't "change anything".

'It doesn't change anything', say vape users as disposable vape ban comes into force to deter use among young people

Emergency services near to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, where a incident has taken place. Picture date: Sunday June 1, 2025.

Gunman opens fire at shopping centre in Ireland as man dies from 'self-inflicted' injuries and child injured

London, England. 24th May 2025. Pixie Lott wears a tshirt gifted by a fan as she presents new single 'Somebody's daughter' to the Foodie Festival audience. Cristina Massei/Alamy Live News

Pixie Lott reveals she's pregnant with second child on stage at festival

The Ukrainian leader celebrated the attack in Russia.

'Brilliant result': Zelenskyy celebrates Ukraine's attack on 40 'enemy bombers' in Russia that caused '$7bn' damage

The Royal Terrace Pier Gravesend Kent UK

Man describes rescuing 'screaming' boy from Thames after body recovered in search for missing girl

Yates on the podium, wearing the pink jersey of the race overall leader, celebrates after winning the 21th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2025. Sport - cycling. (Photo by Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse) Credit: LaPresse/Alamy Live News

Britain's Simon Yates wins first Giro d'Italia title in Rome

IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin features in a video posted to X, captioned: "I visited the area of one of the GHF humanitarian aid distribution centers to set the record straight."

IDF denies responsibility after reports of 31 dead in Israeli attack near aid site

Climate activist Greta Thunberg with other activists from a human rights organization meets with journalists in Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025, ahead of their departure for the Mideast.

'We have to keep trying': Greta Thunberg sets sail on journey to bring aid relief to Gaza as activist is joined by 11 others

Wiltshire Police confirmed nine people had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

Boat on River Thames 'explodes' with nine people injured 'including baby' and transferred to hospital after blaze

British surgeon Dr. Victoria Rose describes the catastrophic scene at Nasser Medical Complex

'Absolute carnage': British doctor describes horror in Gaza hospital after Israel 'opens fire' on aid centre

Sam was driving on the A34 near Manchester on Monday when his car suddenly left the road.

Race Across the World contestant Sam Gardiner, 24, dies in car crash as family pay tribute to his 'joy and energy'

Russia's Ministry of Defence acknowledged the strikes on airfields across five regions earlier today.

Ukraine targets more than 40 'enemy bombers' deep inside Russia with drones 'hidden' in special containers, source says

Firefighters with breathing apparatus and a ladder truck work at the Marienkrankenhaus hospital in Hamburg's Hohenfelde district of Hamburg.

Three dead, more than thirty-five injured in fire in geriatric ward of German hospital

An investigation has found trending mental health TikTok videos are spreading misinformation about mental health

'Feeling anxious? Eat an orange in the shower': Over half of top 100 Tik Tok mental health advice videos contain misinformation