Boy dared to swim in icy waters

Police warn children not to swim in River Severn

A father had to rescue his seven-year-old son from the icy waters of the River Severn after a group of youngsters dared him to swim across it.

The boy, who has not been named, was taken to Shrewsbury police station on Saturday, by his father, who wanted to alert police to the dangerous game.

The youngster told police it was the third time he had been dared to swim across the river close to the Castlefields Weir.

PC Bob Fryer, who spoke to the boy and his father, said the youngster was lucky to be alive.

Dragged under

"He was absolutely wringing wet when his father brought him in.

"The river is in full flood and the temperatures are very cold indeed.

"Even an experienced swimmer would only last minutes in these kind of temperatures.

"It's a wonder he wasn't dragged under and drowned."

He said as far as they were aware there was a group of youngsters aged between seven and 12-years-old who had been daring each other to swim across the river.