The emergency services have recommended against swimming in open water, citing risks such as cold-water shock.

A 16-year-old boy has died after becoming entangled in a West Yorkshire canal while swimming.

Alfie McCraw, from Wakefield, was reported missing on Monday afternoon; his body was located during a search of the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Superintendent Nick Smart said: “This incredibly terrible occurrence resulted in the death of a young man who had recently completed his GCSEs.

“Officers with specialized training are assisting Alfie’s family during this impossibly tragic moment.

“We are collaborating with the Canal & River Trust to distribute some open water swimming safety education materials to schools before they leave for the summer, but we need everyone’s assistance in disseminating this message.

He asked individuals to “resist the temptation to cool off in open water unless it is a supervised swimming place.”

In recent days, emergency services have issued warnings about the dangers of open water, which can be extremely cold and trigger hyperventilation.

On its website, the Canal & River Trust cautious of the hidden dangers of swimming in open water, including submerged debris, reeds, and cold-water shock.

Alfie’s passing coincides with forecasts of rising temperatures in the coming days.

Early this week, the Met Office issued a rare amber weather warning for the majority of England, indicating that the country could experience “exceptionally high temperatures.”

Commander of the Wakefield District Station, Jimmy Fitt, stated: “When the warm weather arrives, there is an increase in the number of individuals entering the water, which can be fatal.

The pull of water, cold water shock, and concealed risks can cause even strong swimmers to experience trouble in unsupervised water.