Missing teenager believed to be dead after kayak capsized off UK coast

Missing teenager believed to be dead after kayak capsized off UK coast Police officers were alerted to a man in the water by the coastguard - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Police searching for a 19-year-old man missing after a kayak overturned off the Northumberland coast now believe he has died. The teenager was one of two men on the vessel near Boulmer when it capsized on Tuesday evening, Northumbria Police confirmed. One of the men managed to reach a buoy and was subsequently rescued by the coastguard. A force spokesman said: “Searches to locate and find the second man – aged 19 – were immediately launched and supported by officers. “These efforts remain ongoing but, sadly, it is now believed the man will have tragically died.” Officers were alerted to a man in the water by the coastguard just after 9.15pm. Chief Inspector Jon Caisley said on Wednesday: “This is a very tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the man’s loved ones as this time.” Mr Caisley said: “Searches continue but, due to challenging circumstances, we are not able to provide any timescales around our efforts to recover the man.” The incident came as emergency services once again warned about the dangers of open water, as temperatures climbed across the UK and the extreme weather moved north. The successive heatwaves in May and June saw more then 20 people lose their lives after entering water. Superintendent Andy Blizard, from Cheshire Police, said: “While it may seem tempting to take a dip in open water during the hot weather, it’s essential that people are aware of the potential deadly consequences. “Going into water can not only endanger your own life but the lives of others around you if they jump in to rescue you. “We don’t want to discourage people from enjoying themselves near water, but it’s important to remember that the surface can be misleading. “Strong undercurrents, sudden drops in temperature, debris and even disease can all be hidden just a few feet below. Cold water shock can affect even the strongest swimmers, and these unseen hazards can quickly turn a quick dip into a dangerous situation.” Mr Blizard said: “The message to our communities is a clear one: don’t be tempted to put your life at risk by cooling off in open water.” Station manager Ryan Swindells, from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Sadly, we’ve already seen a number of water-related tragedies across the country this summer. “If you’re looking to cool down, we would always encourage people to choose supervised locations rather than taking risks in open water.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] COASTGUARD RESCUE ".COASTGUARD