Boy drowns while swimming near a popular picnic spot

A 17-year-old boy has died after getting into trouble while swimming in hot weather.

Ronalds Abele drowned while in open water on the shore in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, on Friday afternoon, Northamptonshire Police said.

He was flown to Northampton General Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The incident occurred on the hottest weekend of the year, with temperatures of 27°C (81°F) expected in some parts of the UK on Sunday and storms also expected.

Emergency services were called just after 1:45pm BST on Friday after reports a teenager got into difficulty while swimming in open water on the shore.

A portion of the area was cordoned off, surrounding roads were closed and boaters were barred from entering the area.

The Embankment is a popular riverside walking and picnic spot and several bouquets of flowers were left as a tribute.

The incident occurred as temperatures in Northamptonshire rose to 22°C (72°F).

The Royal Life Saving Society has warned that warmer weather is directly linked to an increase in fatal drownings.

Firefighters from Rushden and Irthlingborough and a specialist team from Mereway Fire Station assisted paramedics and police in rescuing the teenager.

Police said the teen’s family had “requested privacy at this very troubling time.”

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