A major search operation began after reports of a man in trouble at a Yorkshire reservoir entered a second day. Emergency services were called to Ardsley Reservoir, also known as Tingley Reservoir, around 5.30pm on Saturday 16 July, after a man was taken out of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. paramedics and West Yorkshire police, including a helicopter, spent several hours at the scene, but have yet to find him. Detective Inspector Dan Bates of Leeds CID said: “We are continuing the search at this time. Morning regarding a man who was seen entering the water yesterday.” His family is being supported by specially trained officers. “A number of emergency services are at the scene today making inquiries. We will urge people to stay away from the area while this is being carried out.” He asked anyone who was at the reservoir in that moment. It came when the Meteorological Office issued an unprecedented red warning for heat for next week – meaning there is a “very likely” risk to life: temperatures are expected to reach a record 40ºC in some areas, although Saturday’s highs did not exceed 30ºC.
The incident comes just days after emergency services reiterated warnings about the dangers of swimming in open water in hot weather following the death of a 16-year-old boy on a canal near Wakefield.
Alfie McCraw, of Wakefield, died after having difficulty in a canal. Credit: family brochure
Alfie McCraw died Monday, July 11 after being in distress in the Air and Calder navigation, near Southern Washlands, Wakefield. He had just finished his GCSEs.
Following this incident, West Yorkshire Police Supervisor Nick Smart said: “The weather is expected to get even hotter over the weekend and next week, but we urged people not to have the temptation to cool off in open water, unless it is a guarded area for swimming. “
The search lasted several hours Credit: Mark Pritchard
The Ardsley Reservoir, also known locally as the Tingley Reservoir, is owned by Yorkshire Water, which says on its website that swimming in the water is prohibited.
The website says, “You can’t swim in the Ardsley Reservoir. Reservoirs are really dangerous places and have a lot of dangers hidden beneath the surface. We don’t allow anyone to swim in our reservoirs, even if you’re a big swimmer.”
The company has already previously warned about the dangers of the reservoir following reports of young people ignoring the rules.
In 2016, then-manager Darren Lynch said: “Some residents think Ardsley Reservoir is a quiet and safe place to bathe, but reservoirs can be extremely dangerous.
“They are often colder than rivers and this can cause a shock of cold water which can lead to hyperventilation, increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing and heart attacks. The water temperature stays just as cold in the summer as in winter “.