THE FIRE service and a life guard society have offered advice on how the public can stay safe when swimming following the death of a teenage girl yesterday.

Police were called to Ducklington Lake yesterday afternoon following concerns of someone struggling in the water.

Officers attended with both fire and ambulance services, and the girl was brought from the water and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Read here: Teenage girl dies after being rescued from lake

The girl later died in hospital.

Following the incident, fire fighters and lifeguards have offered advice on how people can stay safe within the water.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "We are truly saddened by this awful news and send our condolences to the family and friends of the teenage girl who sadly passed away yesterday."

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service advises that:

  • Reservoirs, lakes, rivers and other inland water may look safe and inviting, particularly on a warm day. But there are hidden dangers below the surface that could make people ill, cause injury; even kill.
  • Even on a warm day, the temperature of the water in a reservoir, quarry or lake can remain very cold. The low water temperature can numb limbs and claim lives.
  • From the surface, it is not always possible to see what’s under the water. This could be anything from large rocks to machinery; from shopping trolleys to branches, and even fish hooks or broken fishing line, all of which could cause injury.
  • Moving water, such as rivers, might look calm but there could be strong currents below the surface. Even reservoirs have currents, caused by working machinery. Whether or not someone’s a strong swimmer, currents can carry them into danger.

Anyone witnessing someone in trouble in the water should call 999 or 112 and shout for help.

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The spokesperson added: "They shouldn’t enter the water themselves; instead throw something in that floats.

"The advice is for a person in trouble to float on their back, not try to swim.

"Respect the water, even if you are a good swimmer and familiar with the river, lake or reservoir. Be water aware."

The Royal Life Saving Society [RLSS] have also urged individuals to 'enjoy water safely'.

RLSS] said there are 402 accidental deaths every year that 'are entirely preventable' and it encourages everyone to learn 'vital skills' to prevent future accidents. 

Lee Heard, RLSS UK’s Charity Director: “We are surrounded by opportunities to be in or near water. 

"Whatever your age and activity level, everyone should be having fun, creating memories and feeling at ease around the water.  

“Whilst we recognise how tempting it is to cool off in the UK’s beautiful waterways, they hide hazards that tragically, take lives each year and we urge the public to use caution when entering the water, getting acclimatised to the water temperature before jumping in.

“The difference between the air temperature and water temperature can literally take your breath away, this is called cold water shock, it is silent, invisible and deadly. 

"Water can also hide debris, strong currents and sudden changes in depth that can catch out even the strongest swimmers."

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Mr Heard added: "We know too well that each death has devastating impact on friends, families and often communities.

"With the hot weather set to continue and school holidays underway, the

Royal Life Saving Society UK urge everyone to learn vital skills and knowledge to prevent future accidental drownings."

Visit www.rlss.org.uk/dpw for more advice on how to enjoy water safely.