Landowner issues river safety plea amid hot weather

Seamus Sullivan wants to warn people about the dangers of open water swimming

A man who owns land next to a section of the River Erewash says he is worried that someone could die if children are not warned about the dangers of open water.

Seamus Sullivan, from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, says the recent warm weather has been causing children to enter a "dangerous" stretch of water, where a 13-year-old boy died in 2016.

The 42-year-old did not own the land at the time, but he has since been working to install emergency throw ropes at the site.

With this week set to be the UK's hottest of the year so far, Mr Sullivan has issued a warning to anyone who enters the river of the dangers.

Mr Sullivan said recent attempts to talk the young people out of the river had resulted in "horrendous" abuse.

"You get called all sorts. I do say to them it's for their own safety," he said.

"I don't care if they're on the land sunbathing or not causing trouble."

Mr Sullivan said he was not trying to be a "killjoy"

Mr Sullivan says he intervenes to warn people to leave the river because he is concerned with the "bigger picture".

"I actually know one of the ladies who's lost a child in here, and I know what it's done to her and how it's destroyed her family," he said.

"I don't want that to happen to somebody else. Nobody wants to lose a loved one and if it can be prevented by not jumping in a river, then let's prevent it."

Mr Sullivan said the water posed a particular threat because it was hard to determine the depth of the water, and there was a strong undercurrent.

"We were all kids once, we all saw water and probably jumped in, but they've really got to think about jumping in this river," he added.

A section of the river, which has the appearance of being deeper, has become a hotspot for young people, Mr Sullivan said

The warning coincides with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service supporting Be Water Aware Week, which started on Monday and runs until Sunday.

Natasha Neale, from the fire service, said open water swimming could be "perfectly safe" with organised groups or in approved areas.

However, she added young people with friends were more likely to engage in risky behaviour, and recommended parents speak to their children about the dangers.

These include cold water shock, hitting submerged objects, and unexpectedly fast currents.

Official guidance says that people should never enter the water to try and save someone else.

Ms Neale said: "It can be quite a natural instinct to try and help, but the best help you can give someone who is in danger in the water is not to put yourself in danger."

She said people should instead call 999 and provide as much detail to the operator about the location of the incident as possible.