A WARNING has been issued about the dangers of swimming in Malvern’s Gullett Quarry after people have flocked there amidst the soaring temperatures of this week’s spring heat wave.
Over the past few days, several groups have been removed, including some having a barbecue and another family with a child in the water.
As well as social distancing breaches, swimming in open water also has a multitude of dangers attached to it.
Diving into an area of the water even as warm as 15°C can cause people to involuntarily inhale, muscles to spasm and lead to swimmers quickly drowning without ever resurfacing.
Several swimmers have died at Gullet Quarry in the past few years, including an incident in 2013 when two lives were lost.
In July last year, because people were not heeding the warnings, a consultation was launched to introduce a three-year Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to Gullet Quarry will stop people swimming there and risking their lives.
Anyone caught in the water or inside the perimeter fence would face a £100 on-the-spot fine under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
This video has been tweeted by the emergency services in a bid to get the message across.
⛔ Cold water on a hot day can be a killer.
Open water such as Gullet Quarry, in #Malvern may look appealing to swim in during this hot summer weather but no matter how strong a swimmer you are please do not swim in open water! #HomeAndDry @HWFire @MalvernCops pic.twitter.com/M5n9e9ybpO— West Mercia Police (@WMerciaPolice) May 29, 2020
