Water safety experts warn of dangers of outdoor swimming as heatwave grips UK

At least nine people have died in recent days as people have tried to cool off in Britain’s waterways

Water safety experts have warned about the dangers of outdoor swimming after a spike in drownings as people try to escape soaring temperatures by cooling off in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other bodies of water.

In recent days, emergency services have reported at least nine deaths because of water-related incidents, seven of them young people, as Britain’s heatwave sends crowds of people to the seaside and other swimming spots.