Drowning victim's family raises open water dangers - AUDIO

Drowning victim Phillip Law’s death serves as a reminder of the dangers of open water, family members said after his inquest.

The 15-year-old, from Rawmarsh, died at Manvers Lake on a sunny day last June while swimming with friends.

The Rotherham Coroner, Ms Nicola Mundy, recorded a verdict of accidental death on Wednesday.

She said: “Phillip was merely doing what many young people do, enjoying a warm sunny day with friends.

“While there maybe an appreciation on the part of many of the dangers of swimming in fast-moving water, deep water or water which has in it weeds or debris, knowledge of how the cold’s physiological effects is clearly much less well known.

“Regrettably he made the fatal mistake of trying to cross what is, in my view, a treacherous stretch of water with either no or little appreciation of what such a drop in the water temperature could do to his body.

“This was the cause of this tragic loss of a young man’s life.”

Click play to hear temporary Det Sgt Jamie Henderson read a statement on behalf of Phillip’s family outside court following the verdict.

Pal’s dramatic rescue attempts—pick up this week’s Advertiser, out Friday.