A BODY has been found in a river after a teenage boy went missing during the 32C heatwave.

The tragic discovery came after seven hours of searching for the boy, 16, who disappeared in the River Dee in Cheshire.

This is the eighteenth fatality connected to water tragedies in just a matter of days as the heatwave continues to scorch the UK.

Chester Police said they believe the body to be that of the missing teen, but a formal identification is set to take place.

In a statement, Chester Police said: "Police searching for a missing teenage boy in Chester have found a body.

"The 16-year-old was reported missing at around 2.30pm on Thursday 22 July after he disappeared while swimming in the River Dee.

"Extensive searches have been taking place throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Search teams found a body in the river shortly before 8pm.

"Formal identification has not yet taken place but it is believed to be that of the missing boy.

"The teenager’s family have been informed and they are being supported by specially trained officers."

WEATHER TRAGEDY

Superintendent Myra Ball said: “Sadly this is the second river death that we have seen this week in the county.

"This appears to be another tragic accident and our thoughts are with the boy’s family at this very difficult time.”

The string of tragedies has seen a 13-year-old boy drown in a lake while the woman in her 60s was pulled from a harbour.

A teenage boy was also pulled from the River Trent in Swarkstone, Derbyshire, around 11.30am after getting into difficulty on Tuesday afternoon.

And later that evening a man drowned at Stanborough Lakes in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, a man in his 20s died after being pulled from the sea, at Crosby Beach, Merseyside.

And in West Yorkshire, 15-year-old Caden Taylor failed to surface after jumping into the Knottingley and Goole Canal with friends.

The wave of deaths comes as temperatures soared to 32C and Brits packed beaches and lakes to cool off.

Authorities have issued several warnings about the dangers of swimming to cool off during high temperatures.

WAVE OF DEATHS

On Saturday, two people drowned while swimming in scorching hot conditions.

A holidaymaker in the sea near Blackpool, Lancs, died after "accidentally getting out of his depth", and 16-year-old Mohammad Abdul Hamid drowned after entering the River Eden in Rickery Park near Stony Holme, Carlisle.

A further eight deaths were recorded on Sunday – the hottest day of the year.

Lee Heard, RLSS UK's charity director, said: "Whilst we recognise how tempting it is to cool off in the UK's beautiful waterways, they hide hazards that tragically take lives each year and we urge the public to use caution when entering the water, getting acclimatised to the water temperature before jumping in.

'AVOID SWIMMING ALONE'

"The Royal Life Saving Society UK urge everyone to learn vital skills and knowledge to prevent future accidental drownings.

"The difference between the air temperature and water temperature can literally take your breath away; this is called cold water shock. It is silent, invisible and deadly.

"Water can also hide debris, strong currents and sudden changes in depth that can catch out even the strongest swimmers.

"The Royal Life Saving Society UK urge everyone to learn vital skills and knowledge to prevent future accidental drownings."

RNLI Water Safety Manager Sam Johnson said they were seeing a "big increase" in incidents in the sea involving children.

He said: "Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.

"Children should be supervised at all times and people of all ages should avoid swimming alone.

"We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency."

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