Safety warning after four drownings in 12 weeks

More than 20 people have died after entering open water in Greater Manchester since April 2024

Four people have drowned in open water in the past 12 weeks in Greater Manchester, firefighters have said as they issued a safety warning ahead of the school holidays.

The fire service said there had been a slight rise in the number of fatalities to 23 since April 2024, compared to the previous year.

Billy Fenwick, head of prevention at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), said jumping into open water could be fatal and there were "always dangers" including for strong swimmers.

"Cold water shock can kill and there are often hazards in water that are not seen from the surface. It is not worth dying for a dip."

He said firefighters were "working with local communities and schools to get this across".

Emergency services advise anyone in difficulty in water to tilt their head back with ears submerged and to move their limbs until help comes

GMFRS said 65 people had died due to drowning in open water in the region since April 2020.

The four deaths over the past 12 weeks were more than those caused by fires during the same period, GMFRS added.

They advised people to ring 999 when seeing someone in difficulty and not to go in the water but instead encourage the person to float on their back while throwing them an item that floats.

For those who get into trouble in water, they encouraged tilting their head back with ears submerged, and relaxing and breathing normally while moving hands and legs to stay afloat.

"It's fine if your legs sink, we all float differently," GMFRS said.