Brigade urges Londoners to ‘Be Water Aware’ after 103 water-related deaths

Firefighters are urging Londoners to #BeWaterAware following the death of a woman and a boy in the River Brent over the weekend. 

The Brigade’s figures show that 40 per cent of water-related incidents occur between May and August. In the last five years, firefighters have attended over 1,500 water-related incidents, and 103 people have tragically drowned in non-suicide related circumstances. 

Boroughs along the Thames are unsurprisingly the most likely to see people fall into the river, as Londoners can slip into the water after drinking or venture in on hot days to cool off, with over a quarter (28%) of water-related incidents occurring in just four riverside Boroughs - Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth and Richmond. 

Sadly, on Saturday afternoon a woman and a boy drowned in the River Brent, Brentford. Firefighters were called to reports of two people in the water, but despite the best efforts of crews, both people tragically died at the scene.  

Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection Pam Oparaocha said: “Our thoughts are with the family and their loved ones following this tragedy and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time. 

“Sadly, over 100 people have died in non-suicide related drownings in London over the last five years, so this Be Water Aware Week we want to remind Londoners about the real and immediate dangers of open water. 

“We know that the warmer weather can tempt people to cool off in rivers, reservoirs and lakes, but even in hot weather most inland water in London remains below 16°C, which can cause cold water shock and lead to drowning. 

“Many Londoners are not aware that despite its calm surface, open water can have strong currents, hidden debris, slippery edges, and sudden drops in depth - all of which could prove fatal.  

“If you are planning to swim outdoors, do so only in designated areas and ensure that lifeguards and safety equipment are present.  

“If you see someone else in difficulty, don’t enter the water yourself. Call 999 and try to throw them something that floats.” 

Led by the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Be Water Aware campaign highlights the ongoing and preventable risk of accidental drowning. Figures show that between 2019 and 2024, 1,602 people in the UK lost their lives in accidental drowning incidents. 56 per cent (901) occurred in inland waters such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. 

Gavin Ellis, NFCC Drowning Prevention lead said: “Most people would be shocked to hear the number of lives lost simply because people were spending time in and around water. These deaths are preventable, so we ask everyone to Be Water Aware. 

“NFCC works closely with fire services and partners to encourage people to be safe around water and to highlight the risk of accidental drowning. As the weather improves, fire services across the country, alongside colleagues in HM Coastguard and the RNLI, can face huge numbers of calls to help people in trouble in water. By raising awareness now, we hope to reduce the number of incidents, injuries, and fatalities as we move into the summer months.”