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UK heatwave claims first lives as two men drown while swimming in Cumbria and Suffolk UK heatwave brings hottest July day on record as Heathrow hits 36.7C
(about 3 hours later)
Two people have drowned while trying to cool off in rivers and reservoirs as a heatwave sweeps the UK. Today is officially the hottest July on record in the UK, with temperatures of 36.7C being recorded at Heathrow Airport in London.
Today is officially the hottest day in almost a decade as sweltering temperatures near 35C, bringing travel disruption and health warnings across the country. The milestone comes after two people drowned while trying to cool off in rivers and reservoirs yesterday, sparking warnings from the emergency services about the dangers of swimming in unguarded areas.
The emergency services have issued an appeal for people to exercise extreme caution while swimming outside after two people died yesterday. The Met Office said the heatwave was peaking on Wednesday, with 35C expected in places The Met Office said the heatwave was peaking on Wednesday, with 35C expected in places In Cumbria, a man in his 30s was found dead in the early hours of this morning in the River Esk near Longtown.
In Cumbria, a man in his 30s was found dead in the early hours of this morning in the River Esk near Longtown.
The man, believed to be from Carlisle, had reportedly been swimming with his young daughter when they got into difficulty at around 4.15pm on Tuesday.The man, believed to be from Carlisle, had reportedly been swimming with his young daughter when they got into difficulty at around 4.15pm on Tuesday.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said the girl was rescued by a passer-by but her father remained missing until his body was recovered by search teams overnight.Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said the girl was rescued by a passer-by but her father remained missing until his body was recovered by search teams overnight.
Watch manager Paul Dean told the Mirror: “We do think this was a weather-related incident.Watch manager Paul Dean told the Mirror: “We do think this was a weather-related incident.
"It is a very popular place, very idyllic. But it has hidden currents, jagged rocks and it's very deep and very cold.”"It is a very popular place, very idyllic. But it has hidden currents, jagged rocks and it's very deep and very cold.”
Major river search in Longtown. Young girl and man got into trouble, child rescued but man still missing. pic.twitter.com/1DrtoSuPpfMajor river search in Longtown. Young girl and man got into trouble, child rescued but man still missing. pic.twitter.com/1DrtoSuPpf
The girl is recovering in hospital and her family are being supported by police, Cumbria Constabulary said.The girl is recovering in hospital and her family are being supported by police, Cumbria Constabulary said.
Another man died at a reservoir in Suffolk during the hot weather yesterday.Another man died at a reservoir in Suffolk during the hot weather yesterday.
Police were called to Alton Water at around 8pm to reports that a swimmer had disappeared under the surface and the body of a man in his 20s was found after a search by divers, boats and a helicopter.Police were called to Alton Water at around 8pm to reports that a swimmer had disappeared under the surface and the body of a man in his 20s was found after a search by divers, boats and a helicopter.
Suffolk Constabulary is now warning people of the dangers of cooling off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Suffolk Constabulary is now warning people of the dangers of cooling off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. One man died at Alton Water in Suffolk
Jumping into cold water can cause the body to go into shock, a spokesperson said, and submerged hazards and strong currents can be difficult to see.Jumping into cold water can cause the body to go into shock, a spokesperson said, and submerged hazards and strong currents can be difficult to see.
Urgent health warnings have also been issued after temperatures of 34.5C was recorded at Northolt in west London earlier today and much of Britain sees the mercury hovering between between 30C and 33C. Urgent health warnings have also been issued as much of Britain sees the mercury hovering between between 30C and 33C.
That makes today the hottest since 19 July 2006, when the temperature hit 36.5C in Wisley, Surrey.
Young children, the elderly and those with serious illnesses are at particular risk amid fears the hot weather could lead to hospitalisations and more deaths.Young children, the elderly and those with serious illnesses are at particular risk amid fears the hot weather could lead to hospitalisations and more deaths.
The heatwave has sparked delays, cancellations and speed restrictions on train lines across England because metal tracks could buckle in the “extremely high temperatures”. Two friends cool-off in a fountain outside the Southbank Centre in London yesterday The heatwave has sparked delays, cancellations and speed restrictions on train lines across England because metal tracks could buckle in the “extremely high temperatures”.
The precaution will make journeys in stifling carriages even longer on routes operated by First Great Western, Southeastern, Virgin Trains East Coast and Abellio Greater Anglia.The precaution will make journeys in stifling carriages even longer on routes operated by First Great Western, Southeastern, Virgin Trains East Coast and Abellio Greater Anglia.
Meanwhile, parts of the London Underground are expected to be hotter than the legal temperature for transporting cattle.Meanwhile, parts of the London Underground are expected to be hotter than the legal temperature for transporting cattle.
The AA warned also that roads could melt, bringing more disruption to motorists who have already been stuck in huge tailbacks on the M20 caused by strikes in Calais.The AA warned also that roads could melt, bringing more disruption to motorists who have already been stuck in huge tailbacks on the M20 caused by strikes in Calais.
President Edmund King wrote on Twitter: “Some road surfaces can melt at 50C so if weather hits 30s the ground temp in direct sun can hit 50. You have been warned.”President Edmund King wrote on Twitter: “Some road surfaces can melt at 50C so if weather hits 30s the ground temp in direct sun can hit 50. You have been warned.”
Wimbledon is experiencing what could be the hottest day in the tournament's history, which could trigger its controversial new heat rule allowing only women players to take longer breaks. The crowds at Wimbledon seek shelter from the heat under umbrellasWimbledon is experiencing what could be the hottest day in the tournament's history, which could trigger its controversial new heat rule allowing only women players to take longer breaks. The crowds at Wimbledon seek shelter from the heat under umbrellas
St John Ambulance said yesterday it had treated 123 tennis fans and taken two to hospital, with the majority suffering from heat-related conditions.St John Ambulance said yesterday it had treated 123 tennis fans and taken two to hospital, with the majority suffering from heat-related conditions.
Public Health England has activated its heatwave plan after the Met Office issued a Level 2 heat health alert.Public Health England has activated its heatwave plan after the Met Office issued a Level 2 heat health alert.
The response was put in place after another spell of exceptional temperatures in August 2003, when there were 2,000 “excess” deaths in England over just 10 days.The response was put in place after another spell of exceptional temperatures in August 2003, when there were 2,000 “excess” deaths in England over just 10 days.
People are being urged to drink plenty of water and keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.People are being urged to drink plenty of water and keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP