Rugby player drowns after swimming in reservoir to cool off

Updated
Rugby player drowns after swimming in reservoir to cool off
Rugby player drowns after swimming in reservoir to cool off

A keen rugby player has died at a beauty spot in Wales after jumping into a reservoir to cool off during the heatwave.

Daniel Clemo, 24, from Caerphilly, died after jumping into the Cantref Reservoir in the Brecon Beacons on Sunday.

He had visited the picturesque spot with his girlfriend Laurie on Saturday, and returned with friends on Sunday.

According to the Daily Telegraph, friend Geraint Coombs wrote on Twitter: "He drowned, he was just swimming and messing about then didn't come back up.

"I'm still gutted, I can't get my head around the way it happened. He was a hell of a lad, I can't believe it."

His mother Christina said he had "the biggest heart", and took the opportunity to warn others against swimming in quarries and reservoirs.

According to the Daily Mail, she said: "I just want people to look at this and to stay away from the water - it entices all ages but it's no good. They've got to go somewhere else."

Superintendent Steve Furnham, of South Wales Police, told the Daily Mail: "This brings home the need to take extreme care when swimming, particularly in reservoirs and open water."

According to the BBC, South Wales Police confirmed a 52-year-old man also died at the nearby Pontsticill Reservoir on Saturday.

A 21-year-old from Shropshire also died on Tuesday evening after getting into trouble in the river Dee on the England-Wales border.

A West Mercia police spokesman told the Daily Telegraph: "There have been a number of recent tragedies in Shropshire and neighbouring counties where people have got into difficulties after entering rivers or quarry pools.

"Please don't be tempted. These types of water can be highly dangerous with strong under currents, low temperatures which can cause muscle cramps and hidden obstacles beneath the surface. Sadly, we are now dealing with another such tragedy."

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