First victim of heatwave as teen dies in canal as weather alert extended to Monday

12 July 2022, 06:03 | Updated: 12 July 2022, 16:13

• Govt reportedly drawing up plans for first ever 'national heatwave emergency' response
• Met office extends rare amber heat warning of 'exceptionally high temperatures' to midnight Monday
• Heat reached 32C in London on Tuesday, while Wales recorded it's hottest day of the year so far
• Forecasters predict temperatures could soar as high as 40C on Sunday
• Fires broke out across England, including in Norfolk and Salisbury Plain
• Hospital declares 'critical incident' due to staff shortages and 'prolonged high temperatures'
• Gritters being brought out of hibernation to tackle melting roads
• Cabinet sitting delayed due to leaking air-conditioning unit
• Heatwave claims first victim

A 16-year-old boy who had just completed his GCSEs has become the first victim of the heatwave after dying while swimming in a canal in West Yorkshire.

Alfie McCraw got into difficulties while swimming in a canal in Wakefield on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the Aire and Calder Navigation near Southern Washlands to a report of a male teenager in the water.

Following a search of the water, a body was recovered.

West Yorkshire Police on death of 16-year-old in canal

Superintendent Nick Smart, of Wakefield District, said: "This was an extremely tragic incident which has resulted in the loss of the life of a boy who had just finished his GCSEs.

"We have specially trained officers who are supporting Alfie’s family at this unimaginably awful time.

"We are working with the Canal & River Trust to deliver some inputs into schools before they break up for the holidays to warn of the dangers of open water swimming, but we need everyone to help us in spreading this message. 

"The weather is forecast to get even hotter over the weekend and into next week, but we would urge people to not be tempted to cool off in open water, unless it is a supervised area intended for swimming.

"Even in the summer months, open water can be very cold. Anyone entering cold water suddenly is susceptible to hyperventilation, which can result in the body going into seizure. 

"There can also be hidden currents and unseen dangers such as mud banks or items under the water which a swimmer can become caught on."

A blaze also broke out at the Verwood Solar Farm in Dorset, where 20 firefighters fought the flames.

Dramatic photos show a large fire that started in Salisbury Plain, the huge military training area in the South West, where smoke blew out and forced authorities to tell residents to shut their windows and doors.

And Norfolk firefighters have had to put out more than 50 blazes in the last two days after the dry ground became like tinder after sweltering conditions.

They warned that "flames can spread out of control in hot weather".

The Met Office has issued a rare amber warning of deadly heat for Sunday, as Brits continue to endure scorching temperatures across the UK. It was then extended until midnight on Monday July 18 amid fears of potential 40C heat.

Hospitals have been forced to declare "critical incidents", while several fires have broken out in the blistering heat.

The RAC has urged motorists to ‘think carefully’ before taking to the roads this weekend. They said drivers should pack plenty of water and snacks, avoid the hottest times of day and take extra sun cream.

Hampshire County Council said it was preparing to deploy gritters to protect cars against melting roads.

On the Isle of Sheppey, a burst main left some people with no water supply in 28°C weather.

Forecasters say there is a 30% chance that Sunday will be the hottest day ever recorded in the UK - with temperatures expected to spike to 32C in Reading and London and in excess of 35C in the southeast.

Weather forecasting models suggest it is possible temperatures could reach 40C in the UK next weekend.

The warmest day on record in the UK was the 38.7C scorcher recorded at Cambridge Botanic Garden in July 2019.

Read more: 'Danger to life' heat warning issued as Brits face '33C' temperatures and fires break out

Read more: UK braces for record-breaking 43C scorcher as heat warning issued

A Cobra meeting was held at Downing Street yesterday by senior government officials, who met to discuss plans for the first-ever heatwave emergency following the amber heat warning, according to the Telegraph.

The rare warning, which has only been issued twice before now, states there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness as a result of the scorching temperatures.

Other issues could include road closures and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

The Met Office said the warning is in place from 12.01am on Sunday to 11.59pm, when temperatures are predicted to soar into the 30s.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) may also declare a national emergency with a 'level four emergency' if the heat becomes so extreme that 'illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy' as well as those more vulnerable.

"There's a possibility of a level four heatwave," a UKHSA spokesman told The Telegraph. "If it gets above 104F (40C), then it is likely to be a level four heatwave for the first time."

Read more: Boy, 16, dies after getting into difficulty while swimming in Wigan quarry

Network Rail has warned speed restrictions are likely to be in place this week on some parts of the network most affected by the hot weather.

While fire services have urged people to have picnics instead of barbecues during the warm weather after a spate of grass fires.

Footage captured yesterday showed a field of crops ablaze outside Ripon, North Yorkshire, as people were urged to avoid the area.

Motorists have been urged to carry water with them, start their journeys earlier in the day, plan their routes and check their vehicles before setting off.

On Monday, Wales recorded its hottest day of the year so far as the mercury reached 28.7C in Cardiff's Bute Park.

In England, the temperature peaked at 32C in Northolt, west London.

England's hottest day so far this year remains the 32.7C recorded at Santon Downham, in Suffolk, on June 17.

The Met Office says the mercury is predicted to rise to 30C in London, Chelmsford, in Essex, and Sudbury, in Suffolk, on Tuesday while the rest of England is expected to see temperatures soar to the late 20s.

The whole of England is largely expected to experience sunny days with some cloud over the next week to match the temperatures of mid to high 20s.

It will cool off a little before temperatures are predicted to spike on Sunday.

On Monday, Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge told the PA news agency: "Parts of south-east England could exceed 35C on Sunday.

"At the moment, we are looking at a 30% chance of seeing the hottest temperature recorded in the UK."