All four teenagers died over the weekend in separate tragedies, while a fifth boy remains missing
A helicopter could be seen flying above the area
A search is underway for a missing boy who got into difficulty while swimming in the River Ribble. The child is believed to have been with friends when he got into trouble in the water at Ribchester, Lancashire.
Police said officers were called shortly after 2pm today (May 26) over concerns for the boy’s welfare. Emergency services remain at the scene and searches are ongoing. A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “We were called at just after 2pm today (Tuesday) to a concern for the welfare of a child who had gone into the river at Ribchester.
“The child, a boy, had got into difficulty while swimming with friends.
“Emergency services are at the scene and searches are ongoing.”
The incident comes as the RNLI warned of the dangers of open water swimming during the recent spell of hot weather, after several fatal incidents across the UK in recent days.
On Sunday, a body was found in the search for a boy who got into trouble in a lake in Lincoln.
Emergency services were called to Swanholme Lakes at 2.30pm on Sunday after reports that 15-year-old Declan Sawyer had entered the water and was missing.
Meanwhile, on Monday afternoon a 13-year-old boy, named locally as Reco, died after getting into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire police said the teenager was pulled from the water and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
That same afternoon, a man in his 60s died of cardiac arrest after entering the sea at Tregirls Beach, Padstow, to help two family members who had gotten into difficulty, Devon and Cornwall Police said. The two family members were helped to safety by members of the public.
On Monday evening, the body of a teenage girl, named locally as Lil, was recovered from the water at Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire.
The body of a fourth teenager was recovered from the water at Rother Valley Country Park in the early hours of Tuesday morning after he went missing, South Yorkshire Police said.
A specialist search operation was launched following reports at 6.50pm on Monday that the boy had entered the water but had not been seen getting out.
The RNLI warned that although temperatures climbed above 30C over the bank holiday weekend, water temperatures remain dangerously low and can cause cold water shock.
Cold water shock can trigger hyperventilation and a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure. In severe cases, even strong swimmers can quickly get into difficulty.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the RNLI said: “While the air temperature is warm, the seas are still cold and cold water shock remains a very real risk.
“With many school children enjoying half term, the lifesaving charity is urging everyone to stay safe.”
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