Two tragic drownings in the UK over the weekend have cast a somber shadow over the country’s beloved natural beauty spots, raising new concerns about the hidden perils of open-water swimming during the summer months. Families and local communities are mourning after an 11-year-old girl lost her life at Wacker Quay in Cornwall and a 27-year-old man, Wojciech Berlan, died at Ensor’s Pool in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Both incidents unfolded within hours of each other, underscoring the unpredictable dangers that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most picturesque swimming locations.
According to reporting from BBC Cornwall, emergency services were called to Wacker Quay at Antony, Torpoint, at about 6:00 p.m. BST on Saturday, August 16, 2025, after concerns were raised for a person in the water. The girl, who was from the South Devon area, was swiftly recovered and given emergency treatment at the scene. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and first responders, she was pronounced dead at the site. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that her death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file is being prepared for the coroner. Officers have informed the girl’s family and are providing ongoing support during what can only be described as an unimaginably difficult time.
Wacker Quay, a scenic part of the Tamar Valley landscape, offers free public access to the River Lynher. On that fateful Saturday, the area was bustling with visitors seeking to enjoy the late summer weather. But according to a coastguard spokesperson speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall, conditions on the water changed rapidly: “The wind on Saturday afternoon did catch quite a few people out.” The coastguard teams responded to a staggering 20 callouts throughout the day, including 10 lifeboat taskings and a couple of helicopter deployments—a clear sign that the day’s conditions were far from ideal for swimming or boating. The spokesperson’s words serve as a stark reminder that even familiar and seemingly tranquil environments can become hazardous with little warning.
Just a day later, tragedy struck again—this time at Ensor’s Pool in Nuneaton, a former clay pit turned popular swimming spot nestled in the Warwickshire countryside. As reported by BirminghamLive and the Mirror, 27-year-old Wojciech Berlan from Redditch was swimming at the pool on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when he disappeared beneath the water around 12:30 p.m. Emergency services, including paramedics and police, rushed to the scene after receiving a report at 12:24 p.m. that a man had gone under and not resurfaced for over five minutes. Despite their rapid response, Berlan was recovered from the water and confirmed dead at 1:30 p.m.
Warwickshire Police issued a statement expressing their condolences and outlining the ongoing investigation: “We are sad to report that 27-year-old Wojciech Berlan from Redditch has died after drowning at Ensor’s Pool in Nuneaton. His next of kin have now been informed. Emergency services responded to a report at 12:24pm on 17 August that a man had disappeared beneath the water while swimming and not resurfaced for over five minutes. After being recovered from the water, Wojciech was confirmed deceased at 1:30pm. Our thoughts are with Wojciech’s family at this time. Police are continuing to investigate on behalf of the coroner. Anyone who was present when the incident took place should contact us online or on 101 citing Incident 174 of 17 August.”
The death of Wojciech Berlan was not the first tragedy at Ensor’s Pool. Over a decade ago, in 2013, 19-year-old Jake Butler drowned at the very same spot after encountering difficulties while swimming. According to police reports from that time, Butler was reported missing on a Friday afternoon and his body was recovered the following morning by emergency crews, including an underwater search team equipped with thermal imaging technology. As with Berlan’s case, authorities confirmed that no foul play was suspected and prepared a report for the coroner.
In the wake of these recurring tragedies, local authorities and rescue services have renewed their warnings about the dangers of open-water swimming. A spokesperson from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service emphasized that “even when the surface appears calm or warm, underlying currents can swiftly overpower even strong swimmers, and temperatures just beneath the surface can be deceptively, and dangerously, cold.” These hidden hazards can catch even the most experienced swimmers off guard, a reality made painfully clear by the events of the past weekend.
The spike in water-related emergencies was particularly evident in Cornwall, where the coastguard responded to an unusually high number of incidents. Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall, the coastguard spokesperson noted that there were 20 callouts on Saturday alone, with 10 lifeboat launches and several helicopter missions. They attributed the surge in emergencies to sudden changes in wind and weather conditions, which left many visitors unprepared and vulnerable. “The wind on Saturday afternoon did catch quite a few people out,” the spokesperson explained, highlighting the unpredictable nature of outdoor recreation in the UK’s dynamic climate.
Both incidents have triggered formal investigations by local police, who are working on behalf of the respective coroners to determine the precise circumstances that led to the drownings. While neither death is being treated as suspicious, authorities are appealing for witnesses and urging the public to exercise caution when swimming in open water. In the case of Ensor’s Pool, police have specifically asked anyone who was present during the incident to come forward with any information that might assist their inquiries.
For many, these tragedies are a sobering reminder of the need for greater awareness and respect for the risks associated with wild swimming, especially as more people seek out natural spaces for recreation. While the allure of cooling off in a river, lake, or pool is undeniable—particularly during spells of warm weather—the dangers are often invisible until it is too late. Strong currents, sudden drops in temperature, and rapidly changing weather can all conspire to create life-threatening situations in a matter of moments.
As the summer season continues, rescue services and local authorities are reiterating their advice: always check conditions before entering the water, never swim alone, and be mindful of the signs warning of hidden dangers. Tragic stories like those of the young girl in Cornwall and Wojciech Berlan in Warwickshire underscore just how vital it is to heed these warnings, no matter how inviting the water may appear.
Communities across the UK are now left to grieve, reflect, and—hopefully—learn from these heartbreaking events, ensuring that future visits to the nation’s cherished beauty spots are marked by both joy and vigilance.
