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Water safety warning ahead of school holidays

BBC Dozens of people stand at the black railings on the Newcastle Quayside overlooking the River Tyne. Some are holding their phones up filming the water. Some of the railings are painted in bright designs. The green, metal Tyne Bridge is among the bridges in the background.BBC
Dozens of people attended a water safety event on Newcastle's Quayside

Emergency services are warning against going into water that is not managed by lifeguards during the warm summer holiday months.

A safety event was held by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service on Newcastle's Quayside.

There were also representatives from voluntary organisations including the RNLI and Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade at the free event.

Deputy chief fire officer Stewart Nicholson, who took part in a water rescue demonstration, said: "Around the school holidays, especially when it's beautiful weather, there is the temptation to drop into the water to cool off."

He also said people who had gathered for the event on the River Tyne could see "how quickly the water moves" and urged them to go to "managed environment" like pools or beaches with lifeguards on duty.

After the demonstration, he said: "I could personally feel how cold the water is and it's so, so easy to get into difficulty once you enter."

Four emergency workers on the red fire rescue boat in the River Tyne. They are wearing red life jackets and flourescent white/yellow helmets.
The Tyne and Wear Fire Service carried out a rescue demonstration

He said the service "regularly" rescued people from the rivers Tyne and Wear.

He also said the night-time economy in the area presented an "added issue".

"It can be all types of people that decide to get into the water.

"We advise against that very much," Mr Nicholson added.

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