WILTSHIRE fire service is warning the public about the risk of drowning when near water.
Even activities such as running, walking and fishing near water can put people at risk of drowning, the fire service said as it gears up for a week-long campaign Be Water Aware to highlight the risk of accidental drowning.
Education Coordinator Tess Cross said: “Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service education officers will be taking water safety into the lessons that they are delivering over Water Safety Week.
"Lessons will promote Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Royal Life Saving Society water advice and resources. More events have been planned over the summer to help educate young people to stay safe near water.”
The warning follows the death of a man in the final stages of the annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race on the bank holiday Monday.
In 2017, 255 people accidentally drowned in the UK.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here