Update: Police warn of dangers of outdoor swimming after boy rescued

Police are warning of the dangers of swimming in open water after an eight year-old boy almost drowned in Colne.
Colne river rescueColne river rescue
Colne river rescue

Officers were called by the ambulance service at shortly before 2-30pm on Saturda to a report that the boy, an eight year-old local child, had got into difficulty in water at Carry Lane, Colne, while playing with friends.

He was pulled from the water by a passer-by and taken by air ambulance to the Manchester Children’s Hospital.

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His injuries are thankfully not thought to be life threatening.

Insp John Fryer, of Burnley Police, said: “Thankfully a heroic member of the public was able to enter the river and save this youngster’s life, but this incident should once again serve as a warning of the potential dangers of playing in open water.

“On hot days it can seem tempting to go for a swim in open water but it can be colder than you think and there are hidden dangers beneath the surface.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson has recently raised the issue in Parliament on the dangers of open water swimming.