A heartbreaking wave of drowning deaths has swept across Britain, with 35 people losing their lives in open water since late May as soaring temperatures lured families, teenagers and swimmers into rivers, lakes and the sea. On World Drowning Prevention Day, fresh warnings have been issued as campaigners describe the crisis as a national emergency and urge ministers to act before more lives are lost during the school holidays. The latest tragedies come as the Mirror renews its Save Lives for Sam campaign, launched in memory of 16-year-old Sam Haycock, who drowned at Ulley Reservoir in South Yorkshire in 2021. Backed by bereaved families, MPs, Olympic champions Becky Adlington and Tom Dean, and leading water safety organisations, the campaign argues that urgent action is needed to prevent more avoidable deaths. The devastating toll began over the May Bank Holiday weekend, when eight teenagers died in open water. Among them were 15-year-old Declan Sawyer, who got into difficulty at Swanholme Lakes, 16-year-old Lilliana Tomlinson, 13-year-old Reco Puttock, 17-year-old Muhammed Secka and 14-year-old Samuel Murphy. Other victims included Rushabh Patel, 28, who died after jumping into the River Great Ouse to save two friends, and grandfather Phil Crow, 68, who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after rescuing his granddaughter from the sea. The deaths continued throughout June and July, claiming children, teenagers and adults across the UK. This week, Shelina Rahman, 41, and her 15-year-old daughter Samiha died after getting into difficulty at West Mersea Beach in Essex while trying to save a seven-year-old relative. Despite desperate rescue efforts, both died at the scene, while the young boy remains in hospital. Experts warn that many people underestimate the dangers of open water, even during hot weather. The RNLI is urging anyone who gets into trouble to fight the instinct to panic and instead float on their back to regain control before calling for help or swimming to safety. The British Red Cross says nearly half of accidental drownings occur during the summer months, with most happening inland in rivers and lakes rather than at the coast. Professor Mike Tipton, chair of the National Water Safety Forum, warned that drowning kills more people than bicycles, fires, floods and knife crime but still fails to receive the attention it deserves. Campaigners are demanding compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide awareness campaign, improved rescue equipment at high-risk sites, the introduction of Sam's Law and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety. As Britain braces for more hot weather in August, supporters say swift action could help prevent further tragedy. These are the faces of dozens of tragic Brits who lost their lives in open water
