Drowned teen's mum backs swimming warning

Sam Law is also organising a sponsored walk to the two-year anniversary of 15-year-old Phillip’s death at Manvers Lake.

Sam (40) will also be involved in police talks, speaking to children at the popular beauty spot about the possible tragic consequences.

She said: “The idea is that they will take on board the dangers when I tell them that my son was the last person to die there.

“Often young people don’t want to hear about safety messages but hopefully hearing it first-hand from me will make a difference.

“My advice to anyone is just don’t do it because they don’t know what could happen.

"They see it as just cooling off but don’t see the underlying dangers.

“The water might look nice but you can’t see what’s in there. It could be anything from broken glass to shopping trolleys or weeds which gets you in trouble.”

More than 60 have signed up already for the June 23 fancy dress walk from Phillip’s home on Kilnhurst Road in Rawmarsh to lay wreaths at the water’s edge.

Money raised will be spent on safety equipment at the lake, where three teenagers have drowned since 1997.

Sam said: “It’s not just for Phillip’s friends. We’re encouraging people to bring their own friends along so we can raise as much awareness as possible.

“We’re setting off at noon and when the last person reaches the lake we will leave flower tributes to Phillip on his second anniversary.”

She added: “Many of Phillip’s friends have now left school and gone on to college and jobs.

“But there’s still quite a lot of them who get in touch with texts and on Facebook to see how I am. One has even invited me to his 18th party.”

A family friend at Fitzy Fun fancy dress, Fitzwilliam Road, is offering a 20 per cent discount for people taking part in the walk.

Police fear the combination of bank holidays and hot weather will see an increase in people swimming in reservoirs and rivers.

A spokeswoman said: “It is always very cold in open waters, even in summer. It is cold enough to take your breath away, which can lead to panic and drowning or it will make your arms and legs go numb and limit the ability to swim.

“It can also lead to hypothermia, serious reduction in your body temperature, which can cause heart failure.

“It can be deep and there may be hidden obstacles beneath the surface. And the sides of reservoirs are very steep and slippery in places, making it difficult to climb out.”

She added: “Swimming in reservoirs is extremely dangerous, no matter how strong a swimmer you are.

“Within minutes of a swimmer disappearing beneath the surface, it is often too late for the emergency services to help.

“If you do want to swim, please use your local swimming pool.”