As a heatwave grips Merseyside, young people have been heading to Queens Dock in Liverpool to jump into the River Mersey in search of relief from the hot weather, despite clear warning signs telling the public not to swim there. The dock has become a regular spot for thrill-seeking swimmers on warm days, with images showing people entering the water even as authorities continue to warn that the area is unsafe.
The warning comes as Britain experiences the fourth day of a heatwave, with Liverpool expected to reach 26C. The country also saw a record broken on May 26, when the hottest May day ever was recorded at 35C at Heathrow and Kew Gardens in London. Across Merseyside, the hot weather has drawn crowds to beaches at Ainsdale, Crosby and Formby, causing heavy traffic and congestion during the Bank Holiday weekend.
In Liverpool, Queens Dock remains one of the most commonly used places for informal swimming, especially among young people looking to cool off. However, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the Canal & River Trust are urging people to stay out of the water, stressing that docks, canals and rivers can be extremely dangerous even when they look calm from the surface.
Area manager and head of prevention Mark Thomas said crews have already responded to several water-related incidents over the past few days and expect more calls during hot weather. He said the risks are often misunderstood, particularly by young people who assume that still water is safe. According to him, hidden currents, unexpected depth changes and cold water conditions can make open water far more dangerous than it appears.
He warned that water temperatures may remain cold even when air temperatures are high, increasing the chance of cold water shock, a sudden physical reaction that can cause gasping, muscle tightening and loss of control in the water. He also said that many people do not realise how quickly a jump from height into water can become life-threatening if submerged hazards, shallow areas or strong currents are present.
The Canal & River Trust, which owns Queens Dock, said it runs a summer water safety campaign every year to highlight the risks of open water swimming and jumping. A spokesperson said the issue is especially painful when young lives are lost and that the danger becomes even more important to stress during periods of hot weather and the end of exam season.
HM Coastguard also warned about “tombstoning,” the practice of jumping or diving from height into water. It said the activity can lead to death or serious injury because water depth can be deceptive, submerged objects may not be visible and people may struggle to get back out once they are in. The advice is to avoid jumping entirely and instead use safe, supervised open-water activities where training and equipment are provided.
Authorities are calling on parents and carers to speak to children about the dangers of jumping into docks, canals and rivers, and on young people to avoid taking risks, especially when alcohol, peer pressure or social media dares are involved.
