Director of Public Health issues warning over open water dangers as temperatures set to rise again across North Northamptonshire

16 June 2026

It has come to my attention that some of our younger residents have been seen swimming in open water at The Embankment in Wellingborough this week. They were not only seen swimming in a spot which is known to pose danger, but they also appeared to be unaccompanied by an adult.

We have alerted Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and other partners via the *Northamptonshire Water Safety Partnership.

This has left me extremely concerned and has acted as a strong reminder of the dangers the water can present. I urge you all to listen when I say that I advise strongly against swimming, paddling or jumping in all undesignated waterways.

Nationally 14 people died in last month’s heat wave. With rising temperatures across North  Northamptonshire, I am issuing this caution to residents of all ages about the hidden dangers associated with swimming in open water locations across the area.

Many popular spots are not regulated and do not have on-demand safety staff to assist if danger arises.
When the hot days come, the water may appear to be inviting but if the temperature of the water is unexpected this could lead to cold water shock, a condition which can and does kill.

Quite apart from this very real risk, there may be strong currents that are not visible to the eye or objects under the water that you could get tangled in. I say again, stay away. The water can and does kill.
 

In the event of an incident please follow the advice:

• If a member of the public sees a person in distress in the water call 999 immediately and if they are in a position to do so, use the What 3words app to describe the exact location.
• The "Float to Live" Technique: Research-backed advice instructs anyone falling into cold water to fight the urge to thrash, lean back, and float until their breath stabilizes before calling for help.
   
  The Bystander Protocol: The National Water Safety Forum promotes the Phone-Float-Throw system:
   
  Phone: Call 999 immediately.
  Float: Tell the person in the water to float on their back.
  Throw: Provide a buoyant rescue object instead of entering the water yourself. 
   

Thank you for your time in reading this statement.

Dr Jane Bethea, North Northamptonshire Council's Director of Public Health 

*Water safety partners include Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue, North & West Northants Councils, RNLI, RLSS, University of Northampton, Emergency Planning, Anglian Water, Northamptonshire Search & Rescue and the Environment Agency.
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