The body of a 16-year-old boy has been recovered from Salford Quays, police have confirmed. A major search operation was launched after reports on Saturday evening that a person had got into difficulty in the water earlier.
Greater Manchester Police said a body was located later on Saturday night and recovered overnight. In an update on Sunday, a force spokesman said the body is believed to be that of a 16-year-old boy who was last seen struggling in the water after swimming with friends.
Formal identification has not yet taken place and the boy hasn't been named. Detectives, however, have confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious.
The tragedy is the latest death at Salford Quays - and police and council bosses have again repeated an urgent warning for the public not to swim in the waters of the quays or jump off bridges.
The death comes as record-breaking temperatures of 40C are forecast for Monday and Tuesday. The conditions could be life-threatening and a level four national emergency has been declared by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the affected days.
Emergency services were called to the quays at about 6.15pm on Saturday, with specialist search teams deployed.
In a statement on Sunday, GMP said: "The body of a teenage boy has been recovered from Salford Quays after we were called to reports of a person getting into difficulty in the water yesterday, Saturday. Shortly after 6.15pm police were called and emergency service colleagues from GMFRS and NWAS attended.
"Sadly, a body was located in the water later that evening and was recovered by specialist partners overnight. Although formal identification has not yet taken place, the body is believed to be that of a 16-year-old boy who was last seen struggling in the water after swimming with friends.
"His family has been kept updated and are being supported by specially-trained officers at this extremely distressing time. Enquiries are ongoing but detectives from Swinton CID are – at this stage – confident that there aren’t any suspicious circumstances, and a file is being prepared for the coroner."
Detective Inspector Joanne Johnston, of Swinton CID, said: "Yesterday evening's events are nothing short of devastating and my thoughts are with the friends and family of the young boy who lost his life in such awful circumstances. We are doing all we can to support the boy's family at this incredibly difficult time, and we are focused on ensuring they get the answers they deserve as to how this tragedy occurred.
"From our enquiries so far, we are confident that there are no suspicious circumstances and that this is such a sad reminder of the dangers of entering open water, whatever the weather.
"We remind the public to avoid being tempted to cool off in reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds. We all want to enjoy the warm weather; please make sure you do so in a safe way. Think of your family - look out for your friends."
Salford City Council said it has carried out extensive work to try to deter young people and adults from jumping from bridges and swimming in the former docks.
The area is monitored by CCTV cameras all year round and by joint council and police patrols in hot weather - which are now being stepped up. Under 18s caught jumping from bridges or illegally swimming will receive a police warning and adults will be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice, said the council.
Letters warning of the dangers of unsupervised open water swimming have also been sent to parents via local schools.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods and community safety, said: "With very hot weather predicted, there will be even more contrast between the temperature of the air and the temperature of open water in the quays, lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Please stay out of the water."
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