Youths have been spotted jumping into the water at a Wigan beauty spot where a teenager tragically died less than two years ago.

Emergency services were called to young people entering the water at Scotman’s Flash, presumably to cool down as temperatures continue to soar.

It has led to Wigan police highlighting the dangers of going into open water and urging parents to teach their children about the risks.

Fifteen-year-old Alex Crook, from Beech Hill, died by drowning there in September 2024.

His family has since campaigned to promote open water safety and swimming lessons, with warning signs and rescue equipment installed at Scotman’s Flash to prevent further tragedies.

But it appears this has not stopped more young people going into the water.

A post on Wigan police’s Facebook page said: “We have received reports of youths jumping into the Scotman’s Flash in Wigan resulting in ourselves and the fire service attending to ensure everyone was safe.

“As temperatures across the UK are set to rise again over the next two days, it can be tempting to cool off in open water. If you’re planning to take part in any water‑based activities, please choose a supervised location such as an outdoor pool or a lifeguarded beach.

“As you can imagine, unsupervised swimming and activities in open waters are full of dangers and risk and you never know what is just beneath the surface which could cause injury.

“Parents and guardians are urged to ensure their children are not planning or currently entering open water areas, where conditions can be unpredictable and dangerous. It’s vital to educate young people about the risks – such as cold water shock, strong currents and hidden hazards – so they understand the importance of staying safe and avoiding unnecessary danger.”

They highlighted that 202 people accidentally drowned in the UK in 2025.

Police suggested people use the “float to live” method if they get into difficulty in the water, which involves tilting back their head, relaxing and controlling their breathing, moving their hands to help stay afloat and spreading their arms and legs to improve stability.

They urged people to think “call, tell, throw” if they see someone struggling in the water – call 999, tell the person struggling to float on their back and throw them something that floats.