Andrew Gibson was pulled from the water off Swansea in a helicopter sea rescue and airlifted to hospital but later died
A young father who ‘lived every day to the fullest’ has died after getting swept out to sea in the heatwave.
Andrew Gibson was pulled from the water off Swansea in a helicopter sea rescue and airlifted to hospital after rescue teams were alerted to a missing swimmer.
Despite efforts by paramedics, he was pronounced dead at hospital – and tributes have now been paid to Mr Gibson, 24, who ‘would always make you smile.’
It comes as temperatures could hit 90F (32C) today with Britain’s hottest summer since 1976 taking its toll on UK reservoirs.
Shocking photographs show how the Wayoh Reservoir in Lancashire has completely dried up, and temperatures are set to reach the low 80Fs (mid 20Cs) for the next fortnight as the heatwave continues.
Parts of the country could be hit by heavy rain and thunderstorms this week, but there is little prospect of the consistent downpours needed to begin replenishing dwindling water stocks.
The recent heatwave has led a number of water companies to ask customers to conserve supplies. Northern Ireland Water has gone as far as to introduce a hosepipe ban, which is backed by fines.
Severn Trent has asked people to be ‘neighbourly’ and use water carefully, while United Utilities and Anglian Water are among other firms who have issued advice on cutting down on water use.
It follows yet another scorching weekend as temperatures got to 87.4F (30.8C) yesterday in Santon Downham, Suffolk, beating the 85.3F (29.6C) high recorded on Saturday at Kew Gardens in South West London.
A before-and-after view shows how the Wayoh Reservoir in Lancashire has completely dried up in the current heatwave
The hot weather is having a heavy toll on the UK’s water supply, with Wayoh Reservoir in Lancashire now completely dried up
The heatwave has led a number of water companies to ask customers to conserve supplies. Wayoh Reservoir is pictured
Deep cracks have appeared in the reservoir which works with another nearby to supply 50 per cent of Bolton’s drinking water
Wayoh Reservoir in Lancashire has now totally dried up with just a bed of cracked mud on show
But the hot weather claimed a victim in Wales on Saturday when Mr Gibson was swept out to sea while swimming.
His sister Nikita Gibson, 25, said: ‘We are all devastated and in complete shock. He was the life and soul to the party and to everyone. He lived every day to the fullest, and was loved by so many.’
His brother Daniel Gibson added: ‘It is crazy he has gone. He was loved by everyone.’ Lifeboats and a coastguard rescue helicopter joined in the search on Saturday night, and he was found in the water near the Marriott hotel.
It follows yet another scorching weekend as temperatures got to 87.4F (30.8C) yesterday in Santon Downham, Suffolk, beating the 85.3F (29.6C) high recorded on Saturday at Kew Gardens in South West London.
The hottest day of the year so far was recorded in Porthmadog in North Wales on June 28, with 91.4F (33C). And it looks like Britons could get to bask in the sunshine for the rest of the summer if ancient folklore rings true.
Legend has it that the weather on July 15, known as St Swithin’s Day, will set the tone for the next 40 days and 40 nights. And yesterday’s weather suggests the heatwave will persist for the whole of August for much of the UK.
England and Wales enjoyed a dry and sunny St Swithin’s Day, however northern parts of the UK might not be so lucky after there was heavy rainfall in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Met Office forecaster Rachael West it was dry and warm in the South East of England and London yesterday, but there was a ‘real mixture of weather across the UK’, with clouds and some rain in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Temperatures were already above 70F (21C) this morning – and will rise further to at least 88F (31C) this afternoon
Good news for hayfever sufferers today with the pollen count low (left), but UV radiation for the South East is very high (right)
Tempeartures tomorrow and Wednesday are expected to get up to at least 73F (23C) in eastern parts of England
Temperatures will reach at least 75F (24C) in eastern parts on Thursday (left), and will be a similar level on Friday (right)
However, heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely to hit parts of the UK this week. The forecaster added: ‘Today it will remain warm across eastern parts of England, but some heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecasted.
‘However, in Scotland and Northern Ireland temperatures are predicted to reach highs of 31C and 32C. For the rest of the week there will be sunny spells, but temperatures will begin to cool off.
‘They will still remain above average for this time of year. However, on Tuesday and Wednesday there is a risk of thunder and a few heavy showers across most parts of the country.
‘Certainly some changes in forecast over the next week, never mind the next coming 40 days. But if people want to believe in St Swithin’s Day then that’s up to them.’
The myth of the ninth century bishop St Swithin is Britain’s most enduring piece of weather folklore.
Legend has it that the removal of the saint’s bones from his preferred burial place outside Winchester Cathedral coincided with 40 days of continuous rain and storms.
Since then rainfall on July 15 has been taken as an omen of impending miserable weather.
Some writers claimed this outraged the heavens, causing rain to pour on the church and continue uninterrupted for 40 days.
But the Met Office said there had not been a record of 40 dry or 40 wet days following St Swithin’s Day since records began in 1861.
And Ladbrokes are not convinced that the cure of St Swithun’s day will occur this year.
The bookmakers reckon it’s a 100/1 outside chance that rain now falls consecutively for 40 days and 40 nights.
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: ‘We’re hoping and praying that the odds are on the money. While the heatwave may not last all summer, it looks like moderate temperatures and sunshine will instead of rainfall.’
Forecasters said some people are probably pleased to see the rain, especially those in Northern Ireland where there is a hosepipe ban.
Source: Met Office
Commuters make their way through rain showers in Liverpool city centre this morning, bringing some respite from the heat
Two women shelter from the rain under an umbrella this morning as they walk through showers in Liverpool city centre
The long dry spell has almost dried out waterfalls which featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves for the first time in over 40 years.
Hikers are now able to walk across Aysgarth Falls, a triple flight of stunning waterfalls surrounded by forest and farmland in the Yorkshire Dales, after scorching temperatures and very little rainfall.
In Scotland, only 1 per cent of rainfall becomes available to Scottish Water and the country has been using 30 million gallons a day more over the heatwave.
Water tankers are now taking supplies to parched areas, notably Arran, off the Ayrshire coast, and towns in Moray.
Yesterday an outdoor cherry farm in Dorset celebrated a record harvest in this year’s heatwave – making up for the previous year when the delicate fruit was wiped out by bad weather.
The hot weather and small amount of rain has provided perfect conditions for the 5,000 trees, which can each produce as many as 20 kilos of cherries.