Last night's drowning in the River Cherwell is undoubtedly a tragedy but should sound a warning as temperatures are set to rise at the weekend.

While the police and coroner's officers have still to fully investigate the circumstances behind this tragic boy's death, it is understood he and friends had probably been swimming in the river before he got into trouble.

It is a popular swimming spot and while we don't wish to prejudge the issue we do make the oft-repeated appeal to people tempted during the summer not to cool off in the city's rivers.

As reported today, there have been far too many tragedies in our rivers.

Canals, rivers or reservoirs may look inviting on a warm day, but everyone should resist the lure of going in.

The water is frequently far colder than expected, can bring on cramps in even the strongest of swimmers and can lead to drowning, while objects and sluice machinery found below the surface also pose further hazards.

At this time our thoughts are also with this boy's family at their loss.

We also pay tribute to the heroic attempts by his friends to firstly rescue the girl with them and in trying to save this teenager.