Girl, 13, dies after being pulled from river - as number of water deaths during heatwave reaches 17

A 13-year-old girl has died after being rescued from a river, as the number of deaths in open water in the UK over the last eight days reached 17, following a record-breaking May heatwave. 

Emergency services were called to the River Wharfe near Burnsall in the Skipton area at around 6.30pm on Sunday after a girl was reported missing in the river, North Yorkshire Police said.

After a short period, she was rescued from the water and taken by air ambulance to hospital where she later died.

Members of the public and medical staff had attempted to help the teenager at the scene.

"At this stage we are not in a position to release her identity," police said in a statement.

"Our thanks go to the members of the public who helped at the scene."

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The spell of hot weather attracted many people to open-water swimming, resulting in deaths in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Pembrokeshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire over recent days.

In another water-related tragedy, police on Sunday said a woman had died and a man was in critical condition after the pair had entered the sea to rescue their dog.

Lancashire Police said it was contacted at 8.31pm on Saturday by the ambulance service, which informed the force that it was treating two people who had been recovered from the sea off Rossall beach in Thornton Cleveleys by the coastguard.

The force said it understands the pair had got into difficulty after entering the water to rescue their dog, which had become stuck.

The woman in her 60s was treated at the scene near Fleetwood Beach Cafe, but was pronounced dead later in hospital.

Inquiries to identify her next of kin are ongoing, the force added.

The man, also in his 60s, was taken to hospital and remains in critical condition, while the dog was recovered safely.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman's death, police said.

It comes after Tuesday saw the hottest ever day in May for both England and Wales, as the mercury hit 35.1C at Kew Gardens and 32.9C at Cardiff Bute Park.

Bushy Park in Richmond upon Thames saw the highest temperature on Sunday, reaching 24.7C, the Met Office said.

But the first day of June will feel "more like spring or autumn", the Met Office has said, as thunderstorms and cooler temperatures are forecast following the heatwave.

(c) Sky News 2026: Girl, 13, dies after being pulled from river - as number of water deaths during heatwave reac