Swim England

Is it safe to swim at England's bathing sites?

Save Lives for Sam campaign: Stop a whole classroom of children dying every year

The Mirror is today launching our 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign to stop the “catastrophic” deaths of 33 children who drown in England every year - “the equivalent of a classroom of children lost’. Drowning in the UK has become an "epidemic" and a "national emergency," campaigners say, as we all join forces today to urge the Government to take urgent action. The UK has seen a horrifying death toll of 19 children and adults killed in water related incidents during one week, in a...

[Written Question] Drownings

Question by: Lee Pitcher Answering Body: Cabinet Office Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many deaths related to open water swimming have been recorded in England in 2026 to date.

Children who missed out on swimming lessons because of covid among those most at risk of drowning

Children who missed out on swimming lessons because of covid among those most at risk of drowning Debbie Anne Turnbull, a mum on a mission to save lives, has joined the Mirror's water safety campaign fearing those who lost out on lessons during Covid could be in danger Campaigning mum Debbie Anne Turnbull fears children who have missed out on swimming lessons during Covid could be more at risk of drowning. She fears this could create a “pandemic” of generations unable to swim.

Olympic hero backs Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign and reveals she fought 'terrifying' waves to survive

Olympic legend Rebecca Adlington is one of the best swimmers the world has ever seen - but even this elite sportswoman has come close to drowning. The mum-of-three has been speaking to the Mirror in support of our ‘Save Lives for Sam’ water safety campaign, and revealed the wave drama that left her "absolutely terrified" of the sea. At the height of her success in 2010, two years after winning two gold medals at Beijing 2008 Games, it all could have ended in disaster in Australia, if she had...

MP's emotional direct plea to the public to help save lives as drownings become a 'national emergency'

MP's emotional direct plea to the public to help save lives as drownings become a 'national emergency' Lee Pitcher MP, Member of Parliament for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, has backed the Mirror's Save Lives for Sam campaign and put pressure on the Govenment Water safety campaigner Lee Pitcher MP is calling on the public to support The Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign and push for the Government to raise public awareness before the summer holidays. The Doncaster MP has...

Child drownings spike during heat waves—and it's a serious climate justice issue

Child drownings spike during heat waves—and it's a serious climate justice issue Lisa Lock Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor At least 15 people drowned in open water in the UK's recent heat wave, mostly children and teenagers. The public response is understandably urgent: warnings are issued, parents are told to talk to their children, and young people are reminded that rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals can be dangerous. Those warnings matter.

How to stay safe in open water - 10 tips from experts as 18th person dies in heatwave tragedies

How to stay safe in open water - 10 tips from experts as 18th person dies in heatwave tragedies EXCLUSIVE: After an 18th open water fatality, the Outdoor Swimming Society say much better education is needed as they released their must-know safer summer swimming guidance As pressure continues to be applied on the government to place water education on the curriculum now, safety experts have issued vital 10-point guidance a the drowning death toll continues to rise. After an 18th person...

Heatwave drowning deaths reach 15 across UK as new urgent water warnings issued

Heatwave drowning deaths reach 15 across UK as new urgent water warnings issued The number of people who have died from water-related incidents since the beginning of the heatwave has risen to 14, with a 13-year-old boy and a 72-year-old woman among the victims A 15-year-old girl has become the 15th person to die in water-related incidents since the beginning of the heatwave - sparking new warnings over the danger of open swimming. More deaths have been reported this weekend after several...

'Don't swim' at 12 of 14 river bathing sites, as more locations announced