Dyfed-Powys Police has joined forces with Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service to remind members of the public of the dangers of walking on frozen lakes and ponds.
This appeal follows recent incidents when young adults were seen walking on a frozen lake in Llandrindod Wells – and a male was rescued from the River Severn after attempting to rescue his dog.
Powys Superintendent Huw Meredith said:
“It’s easy to see the attraction of a frozen lake for children but it’s dangerous and irresponsible to walk or cycle on them. I would urge parents to issue this warning to their children and to exercise vigilance when using parks during the icy conditions. People walking on the ice are putting their lives and the lives of others at risk. If someone does fall through the ice the consequences could be fatal. Our message is simple – stay safe, stay off the ice.”
Why are frozen reservoirs dangerous?
- Frozen lakes and reservoirs are very dangerous – there is no consistency in the formation of ice and it can become very thin
- Dog owners – be careful around frozen water and don’t throw sticks or items onto ice. If your dog goes onto the ice and gets into difficulty, don’t attempt to carry out a rescue
- The temperature of the water is cold enough to cause hypothermia, which can affect your ability to swim and increase the risk of drowning.
