Body found in hunt for 24-year-old who went swimming in reservoir

Police find body in hunt for 24-year-old who went missing after swimming in reservoir on UK’s hottest-ever day

  • Lewis Saggers, 24, was last seen at Hadham Hall reservoir in East Hertfordshire
  • Police have now found a body and have suspended searches for him
  • It takes the UK’s heatwave death toll to 15 since temperatures rose on July 9 

A body has been found in the search for a man who went missing after swimming in a reservoir during record-breaking temperatures this week.

Lewis Saggers, 24, was last seen at Hadham Hall reservoir in East Hertfordshire at around 4pm on Tuesday.

Extensive searches began the same day involving Hertfordshire police and Midshires Search and Rescue, as well as Herfordshire Fire and Rescue Service from Wednesday. 

On Thursday Lewis’ girlfriend, Kady Brown, shared a renewed appeal to find him. She wrote on Facebook: ‘Lewis please let me know you are safe and healthy. I love you, I won’t rest till I find you.’

Hertfordshire police said: ‘Police have suspended the search for missing Lewis Saggers after a body was discovered in Hadham Hall reservoir yesterday afternoon (July 21).

Lewis Saggers, 24, was last seen swimming in Hadham Hall reservoir in East Hertfordshire on Tuesday

Searches have continued throughout the week and police have been appealing for any witnesses to come forward

‘Formal identification is yet to take place, but his next of kin have been informed.

‘We ask that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.

‘Thank you to everyone who shared our appeals to trace him.’

Friends and family of Lewis have taken to social media to express their devastation at the news.

Friend Billy Abery wrote: ‘Lots of memories over the years, you really was one of a kind. 

‘I’m so sorry this has happened to you, you left your mark on this world, my thoughts are with your family, Kady and everyone who you ever made smile.’

A second wrote: ‘I’m so so sorry and devastated for you and your family after seeing the news, sending you all lots of love.’

The tragic find takes the UK’s heatwave death toll since July 9 to at least 15.

UK temperatures broke the 40C barrier for the first time on Tuesday, July 19, smashing the previous record of 38.7C recorded in Cambridge’s Botanical Gardens in 2019.

Multiple people have lost their lives while swimming in the hot temperatures, including a 70-year-old man on the Isle of Wight on Monday.

On the same day, a Wiltshire man in his 20s died at Cotswold Water Park, Ashton Keynes. He was pulled from the water but pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6pm.

A 14-year-old boy lost his life swimming in the Thames near to Richmond, and on July 19 five people had to be rescued from the Clacton Pier area after a ‘serious’ incident.

Two other youngsters have also lost their lives in the past week, a 16-year-old boy who died in Lake Bray in Maidenhead, and a 13-year-old boy who died following an incident in the River Tyne. 

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