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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
Warning issued as 33 die of drowning in waters across Scotland in past year
The number of people who accidentally drowned hit peak numbers in May last year. The National Water Safety Forum is warning the public of the dangers of cold water shock. A total of 33 people lost their lives in accidental drownings in Scotland last year which has prompted a fresh safety warning about the dangers of water during the summer. The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) has issued urgent advice following a spike in fatalities, particularly seen in May last year, where 28 people died across the UK - the highest monthly toll of the year. It comes after the recent tragedy of 21-year-old student Marwan Sulaiman Al Balushi, who drowned at the Devil's Pulpit in Finnich Glen, near Croftamie, Stirlingshire, on May 21. Marwan, a data science student at the University of Strathclyde, was visiting the scenic gorge with friends when he encountered difficulties crossing a deeper section of the current. Despite a brave rescue attempt by one of his companions, Marwan could not be saved. His devastated family described him as 'kind, intelligent, and full of life, love, and curiosity.' They said: 'We never imagined that this would be the last time we would hear his voice. "Marwan was kind, intelligent, and brought light into every room he walked into. This loss has shattered our family. I pray no other parent ever has to feel this pain.' The Devil's Pulpit, made famous by its appearance in TV series Outlander, has become a popular but hazardous destination. The steep, slippery terrain and cold water have led to multiple rescue operations in recent years. The figures released by NWSF show that 61% of accidental drownings happen in inland waterways such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries. Professor Mike Tipton, NWSF chairman and expert at the University of Portsmouth's Extreme Environments Laboratory, warned: 'Each one of these fatalities represents a tragedy and the loss of many years of life. All those involved have my deepest condolences. 'The National Water Safety Forum will continue to work tirelessly to reduce drownings in the UK through data-driven education, interventions, communication, and campaigns.' Prof Tipton highlighted the dangers of cold water shock, even during warmer months, noting that many inland waters remain below 16°C. Sudden immersion can cause involuntary gasping, rapid breathing, and loss of swimming ability, potentially leading to drowning. Males make up 84% of deaths and of the 193 confirmed fatalities in the UK, 136 were in England, 33 in Scotland, 18 in Wales, and six in Northern Ireland. Of these, 28 occurred in May, 25 in August and 21 in July. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A University of Portsmouth spokeswoman said: "May 2024 was the month with the most accidental water-related fatalities, with 28 lives tragically lost. "Sadly, we know that when air temperatures increase, we often see a rise in accidental drownings. "With more hot weather promised across the UK in the coming weeks, increasing numbers of people will be spending time on or near the water. "The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) is reminding everyone to enjoy the water safely by being aware of the risks, and by knowing how to help themselves and others in an emergency."
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Devon swimmers warned about dangers of cold water shock
Swimmers in Devon have been warned about the dangers of open water swimming, including cold water 200 people died from accidental drownings in the UK last year, with 28 in May alone, according to the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF).The NWSF said cold water shock was "the body's response to sudden immersion in cold water, leading to an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and temporary loss of swimming ability".Mike Tipton, the organisation's chairman, said new swimmers should make sure they were "fit and healthy enough" to do open water swimming and go with a "recognised group in a safe location". Mr Tipton, who told BBC Devon somebody "died around water every other day... [a] really sobering number", said people sometimes forgot sensible precautions, such as limiting swims to 10 minutes, going in gradually and swimming parallel to the said the drop in temperature could increase the heart rate and cause a gasp which could allow sea water into the mouth and start the drowning added that said the initial shock passed within 30 to 90 seconds, so entering the water gradually could reduce the NWSF said drownings often rose when air temperatures increased, with unseasonably high temperatures in May over the past few years causing a spike in the air temperature got hotter, open water temperatures often stayed much colder, it below 16C (60.8F) was considered dangerous for cold water shock, the NWSF inland waters stayed below this temperature all year and sea temperatures are also likely to be colder this time of year. Drownings: The figures 61% of deaths happened in inland waterways (rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries)84% were maleThe worst months in 2024 were May (28 people), August (25) and July (21)37% of people who died never meant to enter the water and were doing every activities such as walking and running and fell in136 accidental drownings were in England, 33 in Scotland, 18 in Wales and six in Northern Ireland 'Call, tell, throw' The NWSF's safety campaign, Respect the Water, offers advice on what do if someone is seen struggling in the water:Call 999 to get helpTell the struggling person to float on their backThrow them something that floats, such as a life ring, inflatable toy or bottleIf anyone is in the water and suffers cold water shock, they should:Tilt their head back with their ears submergedTry to relax and breathe normally while they moved their hands to help stay afloatOnce the effects of the cold water shock passed, shout for help or swim to safety if they could
BBC News
7 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Accidental drownings in West Midlands prompt open water warning
Midlands Air Ambulance is urging people to respect the water, after there were 18 accidental drowning deaths in the region last from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) showed that May 2024 saw the most accidental water-related fatalities, with 193 people dying in the UK in total. Inland waterways accounted for 61 per cent of the the charity, which covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, the West Midlands and Gloucestershire, wants to ensure the public are being vigilant in or around water."Often we find that people enter the water and don't understand the dangers of it, they don't respect the water", said Liam Webb, a critical care paramedic. "They get into difficulty because of cold water shock, or they're not swimming in designated areas."NWSF also said that warmer weather often correlated with more water-related fatalities. "When the weather gets hot we definitely see an increase in people going into the water as they want to cool off," added Mr charity said people needed to learn to float if they got into difficulty in water."Lay back, float and that involves submerging your ears and trying to breathe normally," he said."If you find someone in the water, we ask you to call for the emergency services... tell the person in the water to float and throw anything you can to them which could help."Whether that's an emergency life raft buoy, branch or an inflatable, throw that to them in the water." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Warning after South East sees high number of accidental drownings
Water safety experts have issued a warning to take care around open water after 11 people accidentally drowned in the South East last released on Wednesday by National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) show the region placed high on a list of fatal water-related incidents in 2024, with 193 having died across the UK in data also revealed that warmer temperatures meant that last May was the month in which the most lives were Mike Tipton, chairman of the NWSF, said it would "continue to work tirelessly to reduce drownings" and urged members of the public to learn about the dangers of water. The NWSF list, drawn from its 2024 Water Incident Database, states that five people died across Kent and Medway, four in East and West Sussex, one in Surrey and one in Brighton and Hove.A total of 84% of the accidental water deaths in the UK last year were male, with inland waters such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries accounting for the majority of to the NWSF, such inland waterways remain dangerously cold - below 16C (60F) - all year round, a temperature considered likely to cause the body to go into shock. This can result in rapid breathing and temporary loss of swimming ability, especially if a person falls into the water drowning deaths involved everyday activities like walking or running near water, suggesting that dozens of those who lost their lives in water had not intended to enter it. "Each one of these fatalities represents a tragedy," said Prof Tipton."Drowning can occur anywhere and to anyone, so I urge the public to learn about water safety and how to prevent themselves and others from drowning. "A small amount of time devoted to drowning prevention could save many lives," he added, urging people to visit the NWST's online Respect the Water campaign for "simple, life-saving advice" in the event of an emergency.
