(River Thames. Photo Credit: Daily Mail)
A 14-year-old boy has died after jumping into a no-swim zone of the River Thames in an attempt to cool off during the ongoing heatwave.
The teenager entered the water at Millwall Outer Dock in east London the previous evening, as temperatures soared to 30°C.
Signs in the area had warned against unauthorised swimming and deep water. One local dog walker claimed he had seen a group of children pressuring another child to enter the river.
The dock features a deck jutting out into the water, which is reportedly used as a diving and jumping platform despite the warnings in place.
Emergency services were called shortly before 7pm to reports of a boy in difficulty in the water. Despite an extensive search effort, the child was retrieved from the river at 10.30pm and pronounced d£ad.
Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter urged the public to remain mindful that open water can pose serious dangers as warm weather continues, saying his thoughts remained with the family and loved ones of the boy during this incredibly difficult time.
He appealed to the public to swim only in designated areas and to speak with children and young people about staying safe around water.
The boy’s d£ath is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious, with enquiries continuing to prepare a report for the coroner.
The London Ambulance Service said it had dispatched ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and an advanced paramedic, noting that its crews had assisted emergency service partners at the scene before being stood down.
Local resident Maria Harris, 48, said she knew the worst had happened when police cordoned off the area, adding that the tragedy could have been prevented had security personnel been present, noting that wardens previously paid to patrol the area had since been scrapped.
She described the scene as heartbreaking, recalling the presence of police and emergency services.
Another witness said the boy had been part of a group that had been spending time by the river throughout the summer.
Dog walker Ivan Alexander, who was near the scene at the time, said he and his wife had witnessed some children pressuring another child to enter the water, describing the group as dangerous and claiming they had been a menace in the area for weeks.
Assistant Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Patrick Goulbourne, confirmed that a teenager had dr0wned following an incident in Blackwall, noting that firefighters responded to reports of a teenager in the harbour and conducted a full search of the area.
He said that despite the best efforts of emergency responders, the teenager was later found d£ad, describing the incident as incredibly sad and extending condolences to the family and loved ones on behalf of the brigade.