The dangers of river beaches as 39C forecast

With temperatures set to hit 39C, rivers may seem like the perfect place to cool off - especially stretches of the River Severn that resemble sandy beaches.

But rescue crews are warning these "river beaches" can quickly turn deadly, with hidden dangers including fast-moving tides, unstable sand and cold water shock.

Matt Davies, from the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), said people are being caught out by conditions that can change in minutes: "It looks like we have a beach on our doorstep, but people don't understand the tides and they put themselves into extreme danger."

Concerns have also been raised about cold water shock after two men got into trouble at Frampton on Severn Sailing Club during a May weekend which saw a total of nine people die across the country.

The River Severn, which flows through Gloucestershire, has the second highest tidal range in the world, meaning water levels can rise rapidly and unpredictably.

Sandbanks that appear safe can shift underfoot, collapse as water rises and leave people stranded as tides cut them off.

SARA demonstrated the danger by placing a mannequin on a sandbank outside its Sharpness Lifeboat Station and, within about half an hour, the mannequin was cut off by the tide.

"Some of this sand is golden but it's very unstable underfoot," Davies said.

The Met Office has issued a rare red heat warning for parts of the West of England.

Rescue teams say hot weather often leads to more people swimming in unfamiliar locations, increased risk-taking around water and people underestimating hidden hazards.

"As the water comes up to that sand, it will start to loosen up the sand and create a very hazardous sort of environment for you to be walking on," Davies said.

He advised anyone who gets into trouble or sees someone else struggling to call the coastguard on 999.

"We've had animals go out on sandbanks so as tempting as it might be to run after your animals, please leave them," Davies said.

"Please call the coastguard and we'll come out and help them."

Despite the heat, river water can remain dangerously cold.

New signs have been put up to warn people of cold water shock, an involuntary physiological response when the body is suddenly immersed in water.

It causes blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases blood flow resistance, and as a result forces the heart to work harder and causes blood pressure to increase.

"Even the strongest swimmers can jump into cold water and never resurface," Davies said.

"It is a real big danger and people really need to be aware of, you know, rapid entry into unknown waters.

"Our advice, really, is to know the patches of water you're going into, know the tides, seek advice if you need to and have a means for calling for help if you do go into those areas."

After Frampton Sailing Club closed on Bank Holiday Monday on 25 May, two men entered the water and quickly got into trouble, shouting for help.

A member of the club heard their cries from his back garden, and was able to unlock the gate with his key and call the ambulance.

"Fortunately, we had a life ring handy, so one was in the life ring while the other one was being recovered," Julian Hardy, commodore of the club, said.

"They were in quite a bad way. They didn't have to go to hospital, but it was very fortunate that they were heard."

Rescuers are urging anyone heading to rivers to:

• Check tide times before going near sandbanks
• Avoid walking on exposed riverbeds
• Never jump into unknown water
• Carry a way to call for help
• Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard in emergencies

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