A MUM is warning young people about the dangers of open water after a 12-year-old died in the North West.

On Wednesday, it will be eight years since Dylan Ramsay, 13, drowned at Hill Top Quarry in Whittle-le-Woods, near Chorley.

Mum Becky Ramsay, who has campaigned to warn people of the dangers of swimming in open water, said she was devastated for the family of the girl who died on the River Irwell in Bury on Thursday evening.

She said: “I know what the family must be feeling at the minute as it still feels raw eight years on after what happened to Dylan.

“My heart goes out to them and if they are in any need of help or advice I would offer support to them.

“We are watching this news time and again and need to get to the children and talk about the dangers of the water, rivers and lakes."

The 39-year-old says any child thinking of taking a dip during the hot upcoming weekend should think twice.

“Twenty minutes of fun is not worth a lifetime of pain and suffering for your family if you are gone.

“It may seem hot in the sun but the temperatures of the water are really low and you can gasp for air and swallow water and become disorientated.

“My advice is to go to areas that are safeguarded with lifeguards and people who are trained to look after your safety. If there is no lifeguard then it is a no-go."

The mum-of-four says they are going to mark the anniversary of Dylan’s death with some family and friends later this week.

An emotional Becky said: “We have seen some of Dylan’s friends who have been to university and they have got first class honours degrees and I cannot help but feel that I should have been able to see him doing that.”

Meanwhile, the Canal and River Trust is urging young people to stay out of the water this summer and to find alternative ways to cool down.

When the weather warms people sometimes get into difficulties after jumping into the canals and rivers to cool down.

Of the 400 people who drown in the UK every year, more than half the fatalities happen at inland waters such as canals, rivers, lakes, quarries and reservoirs ).

Debbie Lumb, health and safety advisor at the Canal and River Trust said: “Spending time on or by a canal or river is a lovely way to spend a summer’s day and they are excellent places for families to explore. But it’s also important that people, especially children and teenagers, are aware of the dangers of cooling off by going for a dip.”