Schoolboy, 11, dies in river as heatwave death toll hits at least 27

Police Scotland have confirmed the latest death in the water recorded in recent weeks (Picture: Google Maps)

An 11-year-old boy has died in a river in Scotland, the latest drowning death confirmed this summer.

The schoolboy was pulled from the water at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, on Saturday afternoon.

Police Scotland and paramedics rushed to the scene but nothing could be done to save him.

A formal identification will take place soon but specialist officers have already informed his family.

The tragedy is at least the 27th of its kind to be recorded since temperatures across Britain skyrocketed and friends and families started heading for beaches and parks to cool off.

On Friday, HM Coastguard confirmed there had been nine deaths in 10 days at UK beaches during the heatwave.

A spokesperson for the emergency service called each incident a ‘widescale tragedy for the families and friends of those who have died’ and said other swimmers who got into difficulties have been left with ‘life-changing injuries’.

The family of an 11-year-old school boy who drowned in this river have been informed (Picture: Google Maps)

Rescue workers are urging people to stay safe around water this summer (Picture: North News)

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) confirmed they had recorded 17 deaths between July 17 and July 20, the peak of the hot spell.

Three fatalities were confirmed yesterday, including a 19-year-old man who died in hospital after getting into difficulty off St Annes Pier in Lancashire, and a 16-year-old boy who drowned in Loch Lomond

Police in Cumberland also confirmed the body of a man suspected to have drowned in the Lake District more than a week ago was recovered yesterday.

On Friday, world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury paid tribute to Frank Varey, 16, who disappeared while in the River Dee in Chester

Extensive searches were carried out after the young athlete went missing in the water (Picture: PA)

Fury said of the young boxer: ‘RIP Frank. Was a future world champ. May God be with your family.’

Today marks the first ever World Drowning Prevention Day, an international awareness raising mission started by the United Nations.

Coastguard director Claire Hughes said: ‘We can’t emphasise this enough – the sea has no respect for whether you’re local or not and whether you’re experienced or not.

‘Please always check weather conditions and tide times before going out.’

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