Bridge warning after people seen jumping into River Nene near Asda in Peterborough
A danger warning has been sent out to revellers enjoying the heatwave – after people were spotted leaping off a bridge and into the River Nene.
With temperatures soaring at the start of the summer, many people are looking for ways to cool off.
But they have been warned of the dangers of swimming in the River Nene – and especially jumping off bridges and into the water.
People were pictured jumping off the bridge at Rivergate – and while the water might not be particularly deep in that stretch of the Nene, there are still plenty of hazards that could lead people to get into trouble.
The warning comes after Drowning Awareness Week, when a campaign was launched to try and keep people safe around water.
A fire service spokesperson said: "We would urge people to avoid jumping into open water to cool off during the hot weather. The temperature might be high, but the water will be a lot colder and by jumping into it could send your body into cold water shock. "Although the water might appear to be shallow, there could be areas that are much deeper than you think. There are also hidden dangers beneath the surface, such as shopping trolleys and bikes as well as long reeds to get tangled in. “With the weather looking set to be hot for the rest of week, please avoid that temptation to jump into open water. However, if you do and find yourself in difficulty, remember to ‘Float to Live’. Tilt your head back, keep your ears submerged and try to control your breathing. Once the effects of cold water shock begin to pass, gently move towards safety or call for help. "It is also really important to go swimming with someone else, so you can assist each other or call for help if you do get into difficulty. If you see someone else in trouble near water, call for help immediately by dialling 999. Never try and carry out a rescue yourself, you could put yourself in danger too. You can try and find something to throw to them to use as a float or to pull them in if they are near to the edge and it’s safe to do so. You should also put a marker on the bank in line with the point the person was last seen."