Posted: Wednesday 23 August 2023, 17:23
Firefighters were called to reports of two children in difficulty in water close to Darley Abbey Cricket Club, Derby at 15.41 hours today (Wednesday 23 August).
Crews in attendance were from Kingsway, Buxton, Ascot Drive, Nottingham Road and Nottinghamshire's Highfields stations.
Both children, aged 10 and 14, were rescued prior to the arrival of fire crews.
Group Manager Darren Pick said: "This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of open water and the importance of knowing what to do in the event of an emergency.
"Open water make look enticing but it is extremely dangerous. If you see someone in difficulty, do not be tempted to enter the water yourself to rescue them. Call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service."
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service would like to remind everyone of the below advice:
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No matter how warm it is, resist the urge to swim or jump into open water such as quarries, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
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Cold water shock can cause muscle cramps and breathing difficulties and quickly lead to drowning.
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Hidden debris and rocks underneath the water can cause you to get trapped.
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Float to Live – if you do find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to live. If you can’t swim to safety, float on your back with your arms and legs out like a star and shout for help.
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Never enter the water to help someone else in difficulty. Call 999 immediately.
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If you are in a remote area, using an app such as What3words will give emergency services an exact location.