A Nottinghamshire mum has joined the emergency services in issuing a warning to young people and their parents after her hero son died saving the lives of two girls in open water. Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces to raise awareness of the dangers of entering the water at popular beauty spot Holme Pierrepont.
The services say that groups of young people have been gathering, many are being dropped off by their parents and some are entering the water and putting their lives at risk. Nicola Jenkins' 12 year old son, Owen, died on July 10, 2017, after he went into Beeston Weir to help two girls that were in trouble in the water.
Nicola is urging young people and their parents to listen to the advice of emergency services and avoid the heartbreak her family has been through. She said: "Parents who drop their children off here and in other places are putting their children in danger.
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"They may think it is safe if young people are attending in groups but they need to think very carefully. These places are not supervised and that is probably why young people think they are so much fun.
“But it is not just about having fun, it is about being safe and staying alive ultimately.” Nearly half of accidental drownings happen in the warmer months, and often involve people that take a spur of the moment decision to enter the water.
Dangers posed by open water can include strong underwater currents, unexpected water depths and very cold temperatures, even in the summer months. Other hazards can also lurk beneath the surface, such as debris, weeds, pumps and mechanical equipment.
Inspector Rob Lawton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It is really important that people stay away from open water as we don’t want families to suffer the devastation of losing a loved one. Open water may look tempting on a hot day but it is often bitterly, surprisingly cold.
"This alone can lead people to experience medical emergencies or cause them to cramp up and immediately get into difficulties.” Femi Colton, district manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “As well as the water being cold, you also never know what lies beneath the surface.
"Not only can the currents be strong; plants, reeds and rocks, as well as other objects like disbanded shopping trollies, can be found underneath the water which can cause injuries if you’re jumping in where you’re not supposed to. We ask that if you see someone struggling in water, you don’t follow them in.
"Call 999 immediately, know your exact location using What3Words and encourage the casualty to float. Please all have an enjoyable but safe bank holiday weekend.”
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