Warning on open water drownings as safety efforts stall

THE number of drownings in lochs, reservoirs and rivers is still alarmingly high, despite efforts to halve deaths in a decade, say experts.

A total of 46 people died after unintentionally drowning last year, the equivalent of double the rate in England.

The report by Scottish Water comes only ten days after Mark O’Brien, 28, died after diving into the flooded Craigie Hill Quarry, near Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, during the heatwave.

Hours earlier, two teenagers were filmed jumping into the quarry, ignoring signs reading: ‘Danger: Deep water.’

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, said: ‘Safety is a serious issue as, while the water may look harmless, there are many hidden dangers.

‘We need to ensure children, and parents, are aware of these hazards.’

Reservoirs pose a serious risk to swimmers as dams, over- flows, deep cold water, underwater pipe work and steep banks all lurk below the surface. Many of Scottish Water’s reservoirs are in remote locations with limited mobile phone service, which means there is a lack of immediate assistance.

Carlene McAvoy, community safety development officer for RoSPA Scotland, said: ‘One of the main dangers of open water is cold water shock, when the low temperature of water will affect the body’s normal functions and lead to someone getting into trouble.

‘It can even affect the most confident swimmers. Even if it’s a hot day, the water can still be cold.’

The number of people to die in accidental drowning in the UK as a whole last year was 255.

A Drowning Prevention Strategy launched in 2016 wants to see Scottish figures halved by 2026.

‘Most confident swimmers’