Man dies after getting into trouble in Park Lake during UK heatwave

Emergency crews were called to a lake at Pittville Park in Cheltenham last night and attempted to rescue the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene

A 37-year-old man died after getting into trouble in a park lake as temperatures soared.

Emergency crews were called to Pittville Park, Cheltenham, just before 6pm last night (Thursday) to report that a man was getting into trouble in the water.

Despite attempts to save the man, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His death is not being treated as suspicious and his next of kin have been informed reports Gloucestershire Live.

The lake and areas of the park were cordoned off last night. The police remain on site this morning.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “Police were called at 5.47pm yesterday Thursday 16 June with a report that a man in the lake at Pittville Park was in trouble Cheltenham.

“Officials and colleagues from other emergency services were present, but despite best efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“His next of kin and the coroner have been informed. At this time, the 37-year-old man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a coroner’s file is being prepared.”

The man’s death comes at the same time as warnings were raised about the dangers of wild swimming temperatures rise across the UK.

Today the temperature reached 32.4ºC at Heathrow in west London. The all-time temperature record for the UK is 38.7ºC as measured by Cambridge University on 25 July 2019.

Today’s scorching weather is making parts of the UK hotter than the Sahara, with temperatures struggling to climb above 23C in Dakhla, Western Sahara.

The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “The heat is the result of a mix of indigenous warming due to high pressure over the southern half of the UK, as well as a south-westerly airflow bringing warm air blowing across the continent throughout the week was bring land across the continent.

“This is the first heat wave this year and it is unusual for temperatures to exceed these levels in June. Some areas can experience warm nights with overnight lows in the high teens or even low 20C, particularly in urban areas like London.”

Brits are also being warned about very high pollen levels and high UV levels, with people being told to take extra care if they are outdoors for any length of time.

On Thursday, mercury rose above 20C in all four home countries, with temperatures reaching nearly 30C in south-east England.

That was trumped today as some Britons were set to sunbathe in temperatures approaching 34C.

The hot weather will not last for long, with today expected to peak. A mix of clouds and showers sweeping across parts of Britain is expected to follow over the weekend.