Boy, 17, drowns while swimming in open water as Britain swelters in the heat with weekend set to be hottest of the year so far

A teenage boy has drowned while swimming in open water on hottest day of the year as temperatures soar towards 27C.

Ronalds Abele, 17, got into difficulty while swimming at Wellingborough embankment, Northamptonshire early yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services were called at 1.45pm but he was pronounced dead at Northampton General Hospital after being airlifted from the scene.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: 'A 17-year-old Wellingborough boy has tragically died following a drowning incident in the town.

'Police, paramedics and fire crews were called just after 1.45pm yesterday (Friday, May 10) following reports that a teenager had got into difficulty while swimming in open water at the Embankment.

'Firefighters from Rushden and Irthlingborough and a specialist unit from Mereway recovered the boy and he was airlifted to Northampton General Hospital where, sadly, he was pronounced deceased.

'This was a tragic incident and Ronalds' family have requested privacy at this very distressing time.' 

This is a breaking story, more to follow.