Rotherham “death trap” swimming spots warning

Ulley Reservoir, Kiveton fishing ponds and water behind Eastwood playing fields were on South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s 50-strong list.

Most of the sites — including canals, lakes and flooded quarries — lack any safety equipment or warning signs.

The list is in addition to dozens of other open water spots where life buoys are in place but people still disobey danger signs.

SYFR head of community safety Kevin Ronan said: “It’s only a matter of time before someone’s safety is really put at risk unless people listen to our advice.”

Other unofficial swim spots in Rotherham include Holmes Lock, Harthill Reservoir, Centenary Way at Canklow and water at Firbeck Hall’s old airfield entrance.

Also on the list are the Chesterfield Canal at Kiveton, nature reserve Blackburn Meadows, Roche Abbey, the “wash” at Aldwarke and Treeton Dyke.

Fire service safety officers have called on the landowners to put safety measures in place. Crews have familiarised themselves with the locations in the event of being called to emergencies there.

The advice is to stick to swimming pools or specialist facilities and avoid open spots because the water is often deeper, colder and faster than expected.

Open water can also hold hidden dangers like rubbish or reeds and carry water-borne infections such as Weil’s disease.

Mr Ronan said: “We regularly receive 999 calls in the summer about people getting into difficulty in water.

“It can be tempting to cool off in hot weather, but stick to a swimming pool.

“Hundreds of people drown each year in the UK and places like rivers, lakes or flooded quarries are completely unsuitable for swimming as they hide a number of hidden dangers.”

More than 400 people a year die in open water across the UK.