Scots told to take care as drowning death rate 'more than double the UK average'
dailyrecord.co.ukScots have been warned to be extra cautious around open water this summer as figures reveal the rate of drowning deaths is more than double the UK average.
Last year, Scotland recorded 47 accidental drownings, compared to a total of 236 across the UK, according to data from the National Water Safety Forum.This translates to a drowning rate of 8.63 per million people in Scotland, significantly higher than the UK average of 3.49 per million.
Over the past five years, 226 individuals have tragically lost their lives due to accidental drownings in Scotland, with west central Scotland being the most dangerous region for water-related fatalities.Scottish Water has highlighted the dangers of reservoirs, particularly during warm weather when they can attract risky or anti-social behaviour.
The company has urged the public not to use these areas for swimming due to the deep, cold water and lack of mobile phone signal in remote locations.In July 2018, 14 year old Ben Thomson tragically drowned in Glenburn Reservoir in Paisley, Renfrewshire, while in July 2021, six people died within 24 hours while swimming in Scottish waters.
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