Heatwave death toll hits 21: Tyson Fury leads tributes to boxer, 16, who drowned in river

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The UK’s heatwave death toll hit 22 today as Tyson Fury led the tributes to a promising young boxer who was the latest to be killed in the water.

The body of 16-year-old Frank Varey was pulled from the River Dee in Cheshire yesterday, on the same day that three more deaths were confirmed.

A paddleboarder in his 30s died off the coast of Cornwall, a 19-year-old builder was killed in the water in the Yorkshire Dales while a 55-year-old father tragically drowned in front of his teenage children after the family were caught in a rip tide in North Yorkshire.

Frank was reported missing at 2.30pm yesterday afternoon, after sharing on social media that he was by the riverside, and a search was launched.

Police then confirmed that a body was found at around 8pm and that the family had been informed.

Tributes have since flooded in for the ‘talented and popular’ young sportsman, who has represented England on the continental stage and won a number of national titles.  

Heavyweight fighter Fury was among those to remember the teenager, as he said: ‘RIP Frank. Was a future world champ.’ 

Cheshire Police’s Superintendent Myra Ball said: ‘Sadly this is the second river death that we have seen this week in the county. 

‘This appears to be another tragic accident and our thoughts are with the boy’s family at this very difficult time.’  

England Boxing said Frank, who is believed to be originally from Blackpool, represented his country at the European Junior Championships 2019 in Galati, Romania and won several National Championships titles.

England Talent coach John Stubbs said: ‘Frank was a larger than life character.

‘I’ve never met anyone that could lose a hotel key 27 times in the first two days of the trip, or anyone with the pre-bout ritual he had.

‘No boy should lose their life at 16. This is a sad day for the boxing community and my thoughts are with big Frank and the family.’

Fellow England Talent coach Shiney Singh added: ‘Absolutely heartbroken even writing this. The absolute bundle of life Frank Varey taken from us.

‘Only yesterday he was in the gym looking a million dollars and there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to smash the Euro selections. He was the life of the gym and lit up the room.

‘There was no doubt in my mind he was going to do great things and in such a small amount of time he made made such a big impact and will be greatly missed.’

He added: ‘He was an unbelievably talented boxer who I believe would’ve gone on to become a future superstar.’

Elsewhere yesterday, tragedy also struck at Crantock beach near Newquay on the north Cornish coast at 7.30pm.

Police confirmed a man was pronounced dead at the scene on the beach after being dragged from the water.

His next of kin has been informed and police said there are no suspicious circumstances. 

In a Yorkshire Dales beauty spot, teenager builder Ben Marklew got into difficulties while swimming last night.

The 19-year-old was with friends at Linton Falls, on the River Wharfe, at Grassington, when he failed to surface.

Friends alerted the emergency services but Ben was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.

Families and other groups at Linton Falls looked on in horror.

Ben, from the Skipton area, played rugby union for Wharfedale RUFC, whose ground is less than a mile from Linton Falls.

Friends took to social media to pay tribute to Ben.

One wrote: ‘What an amazing person you we’re Ben Marklew, always life and soul of the party. You put so many smiles on so many peoples faces. You’ll be missed so much, fly high. Sending love to all your family and friends.’

Another posted: ‘Hours, weeks and years spent working with Ben Marklew. A genuine nice lad and a real pleasure to have known and been mates with. Gone far too soon and will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him. Rest in peace mate x’

Yorkshire Ambulance Service dispatched its Air Ambulance from its base in Nostell, near Wakefield, to support medics from the Hazardous Area Response Team who are based in Morley.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were also in attendance at the scene close to Grassington Bridge.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called by the ambulance service at about 7.45pm on Thursday 22 July 2021, to a report of a 19-year-old man in difficulty in the river at Grassington.

‘He was treated by paramedics, but sadly pronounced dead. Enquiries are ongoing.’  

Meanwhile, two teenagers tragically watched on as their father drowned when a seaside trip ended in disaster. 

The man had been swimming with the boy and girl off the Yorkshire Coast when all three were swept out to sea by a rip tide.

A quick-thinking holidaymaker launched a drone which was able to spot the family struggling against the tide.

Lifeboatmen and other 999 workers were scrambled from the nearby resort of Filey, North Yorkshire, when the alarm was raised at 2pm on Thursday.

Coastguards described what happened as ‘horrific’.

The two children were plucked from the waves by swimmers and sunbathers at the beach at Reighton Gap, four miles south of Filey.

But the father, aged 55, ended up deeper out to sea as lifeboatmen raced to the scene. One crew member bravely dived in after spotting the drowning man.

They pulled him from the water but he was later pronounced dead despite desperate attempts to revive him.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a Coastguard helicopter also landed as medics could also work on the casualty.

Eye witness Micky Free, who was flying a drone on the beach and used it to help locate the casualties in the water, while wife Gemma and another woman dived in to save the two kids.

‘I was the drone operator on the beach and I led the public to the three in trouble in the sea. The girl was rescued by a brave man and a couple of others from the beach.

‘I led my drone to the boy that needed help. If not for my brave wife Gemma and another woman the boy would not have made it back to land.

‘I am so proud that members of the public risked their lives in the rescue of others that they did not even know.’ 

John Ward, from Filey RNLI, said: ‘Just before 2pm, Humber Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Filey lifeboat following multiple 999 calls that three persons were in great difficulties in the sea off Reighton Gap, four miles south of Filey.

‘As there was already an Atlantic 85 crew at the boathouse preparing to launch on exercise, it was decided to send that boat (relief Atlantic 85 ‘Pride of Fred Olsen’) with Neil Cammish, Fraser Haddington, Sarah Scrivener and Rhys Colling as crew.

‘In view of the nature of the call, the A85 was rapidly launched and with its top speed of over 35 knots, the crew were on scene very quickly.

‘A crew member entered the water to assist a man in difficulties whilst the other two persons appeared to have made it safely to shore.

‘As the man’s condition was so serious, it was decided to transfer the casualty to Coble Landing in Filey at top speed by boat to the waiting paramedics who were attending along with both a Coastguard helicopter and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

‘In the meantime, Filey’s D Class lifeboat, Braund, with Alex Harrison, Liam Frampton and Katie Pooley as crew, was launched to assist Coastguard teams and paramedics at Reighton with the other two casualties, both of whom were taken to hospital.

‘The lifeboat crews quickly launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and were able to take advantage of its top speed to reach the casualties so quickly.

‘It has been a harrowing experience for everyone and we thank all our volunteers who attended as well as the Coastguard teams, police, paramedics and air crews.’ 

Coastguards warned that Reighton Gap, which is close to the Reighton Sands holiday park, is notorious for rip tides.

‘In the summer of 2019, there were seven call-outs to swimmers who had been swept out in just one week,’ a spokesman said.

‘Last week, six teenagers were injured after being caught in a rip at Hornsea South Beach and thrown against the groynes, leaving them with cuts, bruising and shock.’ 

Today also saw the first image emerge of Hamza Mansoor, who was swept away while swimming in the sea off the Merseyside coast. 

As the number of victims continues to rise, experts are reminding swimmers how to stay alive in the water. 

The RNLI is urging those who choose to take a dip during the hot weather to relax and float on their back if they get into trouble.

Rescuers added that it is in fact often the cold temperature of the water and the sensation of panic which can kill, rather than just simply the depth.    

It comes after a body was found yesterday in the search for a missing 14-year-old boy last seen swimming near a pier. 

Matthew Sherrington vanished last Thursday evening while in the water close to Steetley Pier in Hartlepool, County Durham.

A large scale operation was launched to find the youngster, but the coastguard stood down the following morning amid fears it would have been impossible for him to have survived that long in the North Sea. 

Police confirmed a teenage boy’s body had been discovered and while formal identification hasn’t taken place, Matthew’s family have been informed. 

Tributes were also paid yesterday to teenager Jay Moffett, who got into trouble after entering a lake in the Canal Court area of Scarva, in County Down, Northern Ireland. 

England reached its hottest temperature of the year on Tuesday when 32.2C was recorded at Heathrow Airport in west London, while a provisional all-time record for Northern Ireland was set on Wednesday when 31.3C was logged at Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

Thursday saw a top temperature of 30.7C in England, in Derbyshire, while the mercury hit 31C in Armagh, Northern Ireland, 31.2C in Ceredigion, Wales, and 28.8C in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

Lee Heard, charity director of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: ‘Whilst we recognise how tempting it is to cool off in the UK’s beautiful waterways, they hide hazards that tragically take lives each year and we urge the public to use caution when entering the water, getting acclimatised to the water temperature before jumping in.

‘The difference between the air temperature and water temperature can literally take your breath away; this is called cold water shock. It is silent, invisible and deadly.’ 

It follows Mr Moffett’s family saying they are ‘heartbroken’ by the loss after the tragedy on Monday, which saw rescue teams desperately try to save the youngster.

Meanwhile, three more deaths have been confirmed, including that of a 55-year-old man in County Fermanagh, while bodies were also pulled from Stanborough Lakes in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, and from Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex.

A statement from Mr Moffett’s family said: ‘He was a much loved son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin who lit up the lives of everyone who knew him in his 13 years.

‘We are grateful for the support we have received at this terrible time and would ask that we now be given the space to grieve in private.’ 

Mr Moffett was a pupil at Tandragee Junior High School. Principal Wayne Brown said he would be ‘deeply missed’.

In a statement released on behalf of the board of governors, staff and pupils, Mr Brown said: ‘It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of one of our Year 9 pupils, Jay Moffett.

‘Jay’s death is particularly poignant. He has always been a popular, helpful and very pleasant pupil and will be deeply missed by pupils and staff.

‘Jay was a particularly talented artist, a valued and loyal member of his form class, 9EG, and an exemplary citizen of our school.

‘Jay’s potential was boundless, he enjoyed school and would have no doubt achieved further success upon completion of study at Key Stage Three.’ 

The schoolboy was also involved in amateur boxing. Tullylish Amateur Boxing Club offered its condolences to the boy’s family in a Facebook post.

It said: ‘Tullylish ABC are deeply saddened following the tragic and untimely passing of our much loved club member Jay Moffett. All of us at the club pass on our sincerest condolences. Rest easy Jay, we will all miss that big smile.’

Reverend Rodney Magennis of Loughbrickland, Donaghmore and Scarva Church of Ireland, opened St Matthew’s church in Scarva on Monday as a space for people to reflect on the tragedy. 

Floral tributes have been left at the scene close to where the teenager entered the lake.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said: ‘It is devastating news to hear of another family plunged into sorrow after the death of a young teenage boy at the Canal Court area of Scarva village.

‘Please remember the family in your prayers as they come to terms with this harrowing tragedy. To the emergency services and anyone else who assisted, thank you.’ 

It comes as another 13-year-old boy is fighting for his life after suffering a stroke at a reservoir while swimming in the sunshine.

Cain Griffiths had been playing at a Welsh beauty spot when he suddenly collapsed to the floor. His brave friends shielded him from the the sun with towels while others ran to call for help.

The youngsters had been enjoying a day out at the reservoir near the village of Maerdy in the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales.

Friend Karen Jones said: ‘Cain could have died up there. Neil literally drove on a quad to get him. The kids who were with him were absolutely fabulous.

‘They put him in the recovery position, they had to run to get signal too cos as anyone who walks there knows there is no signal, they even shielded him with towels from the sun until help arrived.’

Cain underwent surgery in Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for a blood clot on his brain.

His kindhearted community has now raised over £600 to help mother Gemma Caviell and father Neil Griffiths. 

Cain was put into an induced coma in hospital but has now woken up. 

Mother Gemma said: ‘My little cub is awake! We have a hell of a journey in front of us but he’s here and that’s all that matters right now!

‘Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart for the love and support.’

Last night, a lifesaving charity warned the public to ‘think before entering the water’ after the body of a teenage boy was pulled from the River Trent.

Police divers and firefighters spent Tuesday night and Wednesday morning searching the river in Swarkstone, Derbyshire, before another 16-year-old was tragically found dead just after 11.30am.

The boy’s family have been made aware and specially trained officers are liaising with them, but formal identification has not yet taken place.

It came just hours after another teenager, 15, who died after jumping into a canal with friends in West Yorkshire, was named and pictured for the first time.  

Caden Taylor was pronounced dead having failed to surface from the water on Tuesday afternoon – just two months after he lost his mother.

His body was later pulled from the Knottingley and Goole Canal, near its junction with the River Aire, in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, by emergency services following a 90 minute search.

Caden’s mother Rachael passed away unexpectedly in May and his family is now having to deal with the double loss.

His stepfather Nathan, who was married to Rachael, passed away following a long illness in 2019.

Caden, who attended De Lacy Academy, was described as ‘a lovely lad’. 

One tribute read: ‘Fly high Caden. Now you are with your mum again. My prayers are with your brothers and sister at this time.’ 

Following the tragedies, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS) advised members of the public who aren’t experienced in being in cold, open water to ‘stay out, unless supervised’.

The RNLI further released new figures showing that 54 children and teenagers were saved by its lifeguards last summer, with 64 per cent being aged 12 or under.

The charity said it responded to 3,981 incidents last month – up from 3,536 in June 2020 – and added that its lifeguards came to the aid of 12,344 under-18s overall between June and September last year. 

Police also confirmed the death of a man, who has since been named as Hamza Mansoor, after he was swept away while swimming in the sea off the Merseyside coast.  

Emergency services including the RNLI and Coastguard all scrambled to Crosby beach just after 7pm on Tuesday night to reports of a group of men in trouble in the water. 

Three of the five men were taken to hospital after the incident, with the other two not needing medical assistance.

Police said that one of the men, Mr Mansoor, died and a second man was in a critical but stable condition in hospital. 

Sefton Coroners confirmed a file had been passed to them for Mr Mansoor and a man who was on the beach at the time of the accident paid tribute to him.

Arslan Arsi said: ‘I was there as well met poor family as well still in shock. RIP Hamza you fought hard.’

Beachgoer James Pugh, from Crosby, jumped into the water to help the men who were drowning.

A lady on a paddle board, who James described as ‘so brave’, was also in the sea helping the men. 

Detectives in Cheshire also announced that officers searching for a missing 16-year-old boy in Frodsham found a body in the River Weaver on Tuesday.

Formal identification had not taken place but it is believed to be that of the missing boy. 

And in Devon, it was confirmed that the body of a woman in her 60s was pulled from Axmouth Harbour on Sunday.   

Meanwhile West Yorkshire Police are appealing for information.

At 5.28pm on Tuesday, police were called to a report of a concern for safety regarding a male in water in Stocking Lane.

Emergency services attended and retrieved the body of a 15-year-old boy. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, officers said, with specialists now supporting his family. 

An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances by the force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at around the above time, or who may have information about how the boy ended up in the water.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson said: ‘This has been a tragic incident in which a boy has sadly lost his life and I would like to advise people of the dangers posed by open water.

‘Even on days as hot as we have had recently, canals can still be very cold and cold water can cause cramps in even the strongest swimmers.

‘Currents created by boats and water movements around locks and weirs can also be dangerous. There may also be items lurking beneath the surface that could cause injury.’

A string of other fatalities have been linked to the weather since the weekend. 

Two teenagers died in water in Greater Manchester and Oxfordshire on Sunday, along with a man in his 50s in North Yorkshire and a man in his 20s in Sheffield.

On Monday, the body of a man was recovered from a lake at Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. 

The day before, a man in his 40s died in front of his family after he slipped and fell while climbing a 200ft cliff in Dorset.

It comes as the RNLI and Coastguard remind families to take care at the coast as school children in England break up this week and join pupils from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

RNLI Water Safety Manager Sam Johnson said: ‘We see a big increase in the number of incidents in the sea involving children and teenagers during the school summer holidays and we would urge everyone – but families in particular – to be aware of the risks and know what to do in an emergency.

‘Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 245 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.

‘Children should be supervised at all times and people of all ages should avoid swimming alone.

‘We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency.’

Claire Hughes, Director of HM Coastguard, added that the coastal emergency services have been busy so far this summer.

She said: ‘Last year we had our busiest-ever summer on record, with 13,493 incidents from the start of June to the end of August.

‘And, despite the variable weather this June, we responded to 3,981 incidents – up from 3,536 in June 2020 – so we’re expecting it to be another busy season.’

The Met Office says mercury is expected to push 86F across southern England and 77F in Belfast, with temperatures forecast to be cooler in the east. Sun-seekers are warned to beware of sunburn, heat exhaustion, dehydration, nausea, fatigue ‘and other heat-related illnesses’.  

England reached its hottest temperature of the year on Tuesday – 89.96F – recorded at Heathrow Airport in west London. The previous high for the year was 88.88F, which was also recorded at Heathrow on Sunday.

An amber extreme heat warning remains in place for central and southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland. While much of England is set to sizzle on Wednesday, scattered thunderstorms are forecast to return across the country’s east. 

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘Police are appealing for information after the body of a teenager was retrieved from the canal in Knottingley. At 5.28pm today (Tuesday), police were called to a report of a concern for safety regarding a male in water in Stocking Lane.

‘Emergency services attended and retrieved the body of a 15-year-old boy. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family are being supported by specialist officers. 

‘An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances by West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at around the above time, or who may have information about how the boy ended up in the water.’

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log reference 1462 of July 20. 

On Tuesday a drowned swimmer’s body washed up at a Wakefield nature park. And on Monday it was announced a 29-year-old man who drowned after ‘accidentally getting out of his depth’ in the surf near Blackpool. 

The RNLI and coastguard launched a frantic five-hour search for the stricken swimmer when he suddenly went under the waves and failed to resurface. It was later confirmed that the victim, from Bolton, had been at the seaside enjoying the warm weather with a group of friends.

A man’s body was recovered from a disused quarry in Dove Holes, Buxton, Derbyshire on Sunday evening. Derbyshire police said they were called to the Victory Quarry at around 7pm last night, following reports that someone had entered the water and ‘found himself in difficulty.’

The force said firefighters and paramedics also attended the scene but ‘despite extensive search and rescue efforts, the man’s body was recovered from the water shortly before 11pm.’  

In a plea for no further tragedies, group manager at the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Paul Hawker said: ‘When the weather is hot, we know people are tempted to cool down by swimming and jumping into open water, however no matter how warm the weather is, the water remains cold which can cause the body to go into cold water shock, making it difficult for even the strongest swimmer. 

‘Hidden rocks and debris can also pose a threat as swimmers can easily get tangled and trapped. 

‘Yesterday [Tuesday] there were over 200 people at Waterswallows Quarry, not far from Victory Quarry, and no doubt countless others at quarries, reservoirs and rivers across the county. 

‘Despite repeated prevention messages and visits from the emergency services at known risks in the local area advising of the danger of swimming in flooded quarries where depth change can be quite sudden, it really is sad that a man has lost his life in such tragic circumstances.’