The family of a “kind and loving” 13-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a Northumberland river say they are “absolutely devastated”.

Robert Hattersley, from Crawcrook, lost his life following an incident in the River Tyne near Ovingham on Sunday.

His family said in a statement: “It is impossible to put into words the heartbreak we are feeling – Robert was so kind and loving. We are absolutely devastated by what has happened.

“He brought a smile to so many people’s faces and he will be missed by absolutely everyone who knew and loved him.”

Detective Inspector Phil Hughes, of Leeds CID, said: “This incident serves as a timely reminder about the dangers of swimming in open water.”

RAF halts flights from biggest base after runway ‘melts’ – weather latest

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy became the fourth person to drown in open water during the current heatwave as Britain swelters and temperature records could be broken.

UK weather – latest: UK could hit 41C – as RAF halts flights after runway ‘melts’ and scorching temperatures spark fires

Luton Airport runway damaged in heatwave – as schools and trains also disrupted by surging temperatures

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke – what are the signs and symptoms and what’s the difference?

The teenager died after getting into difficulty earlier today in Bray Lake, near Maidenhead, in Berkshire.

Thames Valley Police said officers were called at 11.45am to the site and a search of the water was carried out by the force as well as other emergency services, including fire crews.

The boy was found just after 1.30pm and died at the scene.

Superintendent Michael Greenwood, the local policing area commander for Windsor and Maidenhead, said it was an “absolute tragedy”.

Emergency services have issued urgent appeals for people to stay out of dangerous waterways and reservoirs.

A 50-year-old man lost his life after getting into difficulty at Ardsley Reservoir, between Leeds and Wakefield. A body, thought to be his, was found on Sunday.

A 16-year-old boy died after he was seen struggling in the water at Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, on Saturday.

Met Office forecasters issued a red warning for Monday and Tuesday in an indication that temperatures could push above 40C (104F).

The existing UK record, of 38.7C (101.66F), recorded in Cambridge in 2019, looks almost certain to fall.

Temperatures rose to 38.1C (100.58F) in Santon Downham, Suffolk today, making it the hottest day of the year, and the mercury topped 37C in a number of other places.

Read more:
Top tips to stay cool in the hot weather
What a Level 4 heatwave means for the UK
Why Britain’s cities need a radical overhaul
Why climate change will make this heatwave more dangerous

Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and avoid physical exertion

Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol

Close curtains in rooms that face the sun

Never leave anyone in a parked car – and check in on elderly and vulnerable neighbours

Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat

Check medicines can be stored according to instructions – and check that your fridges, freezers and fans are working properly

Wales has provisionally recorded its hottest day on record, with the temperature reaching 37.1C in Hawarden, Flintshire, beating the previous record for the country – 35.2C – which was also set in Hawarden, in 1990.

Tuesday is predicted to be even hotter in the UK, with temperatures possibly reaching a “crazy” 41C (105.8F) in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

On Sunday Tracy Nicholls, chief executive of the College of Paramedics, warned the “ferocious heat” the UK is predicted to experience over the next few days could lead to deaths.

She told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “This isn’t like a lovely hot day where we can put a bit of sunscreen on, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside.

“This is serious heat that could actually, ultimately, end in people’s deaths because it is so ferocious. We’re just not set up for that sort of heat in this country.”

The UK Health Security Agency raised its heat health warning to Level 4 – a “national emergency” – on Friday.

Level 4 is reached when “a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system”.

Related posts:

Family says radio presenter died ‘after suffering blood clots following AstraZeneca COVID vaccine’ Ending lockdown on 21 June looks ‘somewhat in doubt’ as cases of Indian variant keep rising UK due to finish evacuation operation from Afghanistan today, says armed forces chief Father of Manchester Arena victim pleaded with her to come round as police tried to save her Sabina Nessa: 36-year-old man charged with murder of primary school teacher Blood clots from Astrazeneca jab killed mother, coroner finds Michael Vaughan ‘sorry for hurt’ caused to Azeem Rafiq but denies ‘you lot’ comment amid racism scandal Brentford fan arrested for allegedly using racist and homophobic language against Man City player David Bowie back catalogue sells for ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ Commuters facing reduced rail services as they return to work after break ‘Cannabis’ sweet warning after woman dies in London Jurors retrace final steps of PCSO killed on dog walk