Swimming in Rivers Can Be Deadly, Police Warn

Police are warning local residents in Worcestershire to stay safe around rivers and other bodies of water now that the summer has finally arrived.

It also comes after a woman was rescued from the Severn in Worcester yesterday.  Emergency services were called to South Quay at around 4pm after a woman was seen in the river apparently in difficulty. She was pulled from the river by a member of the public and treated by the ambulance service before being taken to hospital.

Officers are still determining the full circumstances as to how she came to be in the river, but they would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone of the dangers of swimming in rivers and open water.

Inspector Pete Andrews said: "Now that the summer is very much here, a cooling swim in open water may seem inviting but it is fraught with danger and could be deadly.

"Swimming in unauthorised, unsupervised stretches of water can be very unpredictable: for example, rivers can have strong hidden currents no matter how welcoming they look on the surface. 

"It is often impossible to gauge the depths of these waters - just how deep or shallow they may be - and jumping or diving in can cause serious injury or drowning.

"Water can also be very cold, in stark contrast to the high air temperatures, especially at this time of year when the water temperature has not yet had the chance to warm up.

"The sudden change in temperature when entering the water can create serious problems for swimmers.

"Sadly, there is a history of serious injuries - and, indeed, fatalities - resulting in people being tempted by the water so officers' firm advice is ‘do not be tempted' and stick to local pools and supervised swimming spots."

Issued: Wednesday 23 May 2012