Think twice before cooling off in rivers

Anyone considering cooling off in lakes or rivers in warm weather is being urged to think again.

Police say that however hot it gets people should steer clear of waterways that present hidden dangers.

The warning comes after calls to police about people paddling or swimming in Balderton Lake at the weekend.

Sergeant Simon Brooks, of Newark Police, said waterways may look inviting as a means of cooling off but they held hidden dangers.

He said there could be strong currents, debris under the surface that could cause broken bones, sudden cold could lead to heart attacks, and clothing could act as dead weight.

There were often sudden drops in depth in rivers and ponds and lakes that were formerly quarries.

Alcohol could also bring with it false confidence, impairing judgment and ability.

In recent years incidents in Newark have included a man drowning on a summer’s day after attempting to swim the Trent.

A youth broke an ankle when he landed on a submerged shopping trolley after jumping into the river from Mill Bridge.

In 2010, Sergeant Brooks and a colleague saved two men from drowning who had been involved in a drunken bet as to who could swim the river fastest.

Sergeant Brooks said the lives of the rescuers were put at risk too.

“The risk of dying far outweighs the benefit of cooling down. It’s a risk that simply isn’t worth taking,” he said.

“The dangers beneath the surface are impossible to see and, when you are in the water, often it’s too late.

“The best solution for everyone would be for people to think twice about their actions and not take the risk in the first place.”