Swimmer, 18, dies after being pulled from river

Swimmer, 18, dies after being pulled from river near spot where two female canoeists drowned

• The 18-year-old got into difficulty in the River Ouse on Friday afternoon

A swimmer has died after being pulled from the water at Cardington Lock near Bedford.

The 18-year-old got into difficulty in the River Ouse at around half past four on Friday afternoon.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said that the young man was playing with friends in the water during the hot weather. 

‘Members of the public around him rightly phoned 999 for help once they realised that he was in trouble. 

‘Emergency Services arrived on scene and were able to successfully revive him but sadly he passed away in hospital later that day.’

A swimmer has died after being pulled from the water at Cardington Lock near Bedford, the 18-year-old got into difficulty in the River Ouse at around half past four on Friday afternoon

The drowning of the young boy follows the death of two women canoeists who drowned in the same river in April.

Bedfordshire Police said they received reports of two capsized canoes and possibly a female in difficulty. Fire and rescue teams and the ambulance service worked with the force to recover the two bodies.

Police named the two women as Sarah Waller, 56, and Laura Pottinger, 52. 

Their bodies were recovered after emergency services were called to reports of two overturned canoes at around 10.50am on April 16. 

Laura Pottinger (left) and Sarah Waller (right) have been named as the two women who died after getting into difficulty in the River Great Ouse in Kempston, Bedfordshire, earlier this month

Their bodies were recovered after emergency services were called to reports of two overturned canoes at around 10.50am on April 16

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service also warned the public to act swiftly if you see someone drowning.  

Group Commander, Robert Hulatt said, ‘when someone is in trouble within the water, every second counts. 

‘The fire service is trained and equipped to respond and effect rescue at water related incidents, therefore fast deployment of our water rescue resources is crucial.

‘Calling our partner emergency services will of course lead to the Fire Service deployment, however vital time could be lost.

‘If you see someone in trouble within the water do not attempt to get into the water to rescue them yourself, call 999 ask for the Fire Service and then stay at the location and await our attendance’. 

The River Ouse is the fifth longest river in the UK and runs alongside Buckingham and St Ives.

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