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Heatwave Claims Ten Lives; Cold Waters Prompt Safety Warnings

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Officials warned that, despite record-high May temperatures, UK waters stay dangerously cold, linked to teenage drownings.
Ten people have died in water-related incidents during the heatwave, most recently a 14-year-old boy in the River Thames at Donnington Bridge, Oxford.
The Royal Life Saving Society and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have warned the public to avoid unsupervised swimming while urging schools to begin open-water safety lessons immediately.

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Story summary

Officials warned that, despite record-high May temperatures, UK waters stay dangerously cold, linked to teenage drownings.
Ten people have died in water-related incidents during the heatwave, most recently a 14-year-old boy in the River Thames at Donnington Bridge, Oxford.
The Royal Life Saving Society and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have warned the public to avoid unsupervised swimming while urging schools to begin open-water safety lessons immediately.