Three die as England records hottest day of the year with temperatures above 30C
18 July 2021, 22:40 | Updated: 18 July 2021, 22:50
Three people have died as Sunday became the hottest day of the year for England and Wales, with temperatures higher than 30C recorded.
Two teenagers and a man in his 50s died despite rescue operations to take them out of the water in separate incidents.
The highest temperature recorded was 31.6C at Heathrow and 30.2C in Cardiff.
Yesterday, Northern Ireland recorded 31.2C - considered its hottest day so far, and amid warnings about being careful about cooling off in water.
A Met Office forecast shows the south of England and Wales could see maximum temperatures stay above 30 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
It will coincide with the start of England's restrictions easing as part of "Freedom Day" on July 19.
Read more: UK weather: Mini-heatwave brings hottest day of the year
Read more: Heat health alert issued in England for this weekend
Brits have taken to the beach and basked in the temperatures just days after poor weather saw flash floods in London.
Images throughout the weekend show people enjoying popular destinations in the country.
But there was tragedy on Sunday when it was confirmed three people died after being rescued from the water.
A 19-year-old died despite efforts to save him at Salford Quays, Greater Manchester Police said.
In a tweet, North Yorkshire Police said a body of a man in his 50s was recovered from the River Ouse in York on Sunday evening.
"While formal identification is yet to take place, we believe we know the identity of the deceased but are awaiting confirmation. His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this very sad time," the force said.
A teenage girl died in hospital after being taken out of the water in Witney, near Oxford, Thames Valley Police said.
Her family have been informed and her death is being treated as unexplained and non-suspicious.
On Saturday, a woman died after being pulled from the sea at Croyde beach in North Devon.
Lifeguard teams, an air ambulance and a number of ambulances went to the scene.
Ross Macleod from RNLI Poole Bay in Dorset told LBC people should be careful in the water.
"Try and find a lifeguarded beach. The RNLI runs around 245 beaches across the UK so there are beaches all over the country, plenty to choose from.
"When you're there at these beaches we'd encourage you to swim between the red and yellow flags, and that way you know you've got a trained professional on hand."
