Video footage has appeared showing two men apparently drying off following an after-dark swim in a freezing Salford Quays.
The footage, taken around 19:00 on Sunday evening (Sunday 11 December), shows the two men in swimming trunks close to the Water Sports Centre.
The news comes just days after three children died after falling into an icy lake in Solihull.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment and community safety said the video of the swimmers had sent shock waves through the council.
She said: “If these two young men are experienced cold water swimmers then going into the Quays in the dark by themselves on a freezing December night is utterly reckless. If they are not trained to swim in cold water then they are lucky to be alive.
“We’re constantly warning people of the dangers of cold-water shock and reminding them that open water is cold even on the hottest days of the year. I cannot begin to imagine how cold the water must have been last night and I hope this was just a one-off moment of madness.
“Cold water shock can affect even the strongest swimmers which is why people should only ever swim in the Quays as part of an organised and supervised session for their safety. Given the current freezing conditions people should take even more care near any open water.”
Salford City Council has stepped up CCTV camera ‘patrols’ covering the Quays and says it will report any dangerous activity picked up to the police.
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