The death toll linked to June’s heatwave in the UK has risen to seven following a fatal drowning at Cowbury reservoir near Stalybridge, Greater Manchester. A 15-year-old boy’s body was recovered from the reservoir, marking the latest tragic loss associated with attempts to cool off in open water during the recent period of extreme heat. Police confirmed that the boy’s family have been informed but did not release his name.

Specialist divers continue to search the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park in Salford, where another teenage boy remains missing. Authorities also reported that a teenage girl was rescued from the river by friends at the same location. While she is believed to be unharmed physically, she is reported to be traumatised by the incident.

Chief Inspector Helen Baxter described the Stalybridge death as “nothing short of devastating,” emphasizing the dangers posed by entering reservoirs, rivers, canals, or ponds, particularly in hot weather. She urged the public to resist the temptation to use open water bodies as a means of cooling down.

These water-related fatalities add to a concerning trend across the UK, with 15 drowning deaths recorded in May. The recent heatwave saw temperatures soar past 37 degrees Celsius, contributing to increased outdoor activity around open water despite the inherent risks.

The Met Office issued its final warning for extreme heat as the weather began to cool on Monday. While temperatures are falling, the heightened humidity triggered thunderstorms in some regions, disrupting flights and causing three house fires in Kent due to lightning strikes.

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick explained that the heatwave is concluding, with fresher air expected to arrive alongside a cold front. Conditions moving forward are forecast to include intermittent cloud and rain, but also periods of sunshine with temperatures reaching 23 to 24 degrees Celsius in many areas.

Authorities continue to caution the public about the dangers of swimming in unsupervised open water, particularly as warm conditions persist and the risk of such incidents remains elevated.