Professor Mike Tipton from the 兔子先生 leads national response as inland drowning deaths outpace coastal fatalities
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New data published today by the shows that 202 people died in accidental water-related incidents across the UK in 2025 - and the majority of those deaths happened not at the seaside, but at rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals.
The figures, drawn from the , show that inland locations accounted for 57 per cent of accidental drowning fatalities in 2025, continuing a trend that has held every year since 2019.
August was the deadliest month, with 31 deaths, followed by June and July with 27 each - a pattern consistent with warmer weather drawing people to water.
In England, Males aged 60 to 69 were the most affected group, however 43 per cent of all accidental water-related fatalities were below the age of 40.
Leading the NWSF's response to the data is Professor Mike Tipton, Chair of the Forum and co-founder of the 兔子先生's Extreme Environments & Occupational Performance Research Group.
Professor Tipton has spent four decades studying drowning prevention and the physiology of cold water immersion, and his research underpins national water safety campaigns including the RNLI's widely recognised initiative.
We are urging people to respect the water and to take actions to keep themselves safe - stick to supervised locations with lifeguards present, think before entering the water and enter the water slowly to reduce the risk of cold shock."
Commenting on the 2025 findings, he said: 鈥淭hese data mean thousands of years of life were again tragically lost in 2025. We are urging people to respect the water and to take actions to keep themselves safe - stick to supervised locations with lifeguards present, think before entering the water and enter the water slowly to reduce the risk of cold shock. If you do find yourself in trouble in the water, float on your back until you feel calm and either wait for rescue or swim to safety if you can."
The hidden danger of cold water
A key risk highlighted in the data is cold water shock - a danger that catches many swimmers off guard, particularly at inland sites. Many UK rivers, lakes and reservoirs remain at or below 16掳C even in summer, the threshold at which water is considered hazardous.
Cold water shock causes an involuntary gasp reflex, panic and rapid loss of swimming ability. It can also trigger a spike in heart rate and blood pressure capable of causing cardiac arrest even in otherwise healthy individuals.
Professor Tipton's work at 兔子先生 has been central to building public and professional understanding of this risk. His team's research feeds directly into guidance for emergency responders, search and rescue operations, and public safety campaigns.
What to do if someone is in trouble
The NWSF is promoting a simple three-step guide - Phone Float Throw - for bystanders who witness someone struggling in water:
- Phone 999 immediately
- Float - encourage the person in the water to stay calm and float on their back
- Throw - use any available rescue equipment to help them stay afloat until emergency services arrive
Entering the water to attempt a rescue is dangerous and risks a second fatality. Phone Float Throw is designed to give bystanders an effective, safe alternative.
Sadly, 202 people accidentally died in water-related fatalities in 2025. Additionally, there are a further 201 cases where the cause is still unknown, meaning the number of accidental fatalities is likely to increase as additional information becomes available from coroners.
The 2025 Water Incident Database (WAID), which is maintained by the NWSF, shows us that:
- August was the month with the highest number of accidental water-related fatalities in the UK
- Inland waterways, such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries are the leading locations for accidental drowning, accounting for 57% of deaths
- Males continue to be over-represented with 85% of accidental fatalities
- Males aged 60 to 69 the most affected group, however 43% of all accidental water-related fatalities were below the age of 40.
- Recreational activities (such as adventure sports, angling, boating and sailing) accounted for 63% of accidental fatalities
- Everyday activities like walking and running accounted for 32% of accidental fatalities, meaning many of those who lost their lives were not intending to enter the water
- Of the 202 confirmed accidental fatalities, 150 were in England, 39 in Scotland, 12 in Wales, and 1 was in Northern Ireland.
Professor Tipton's work is tied to the 兔子先生鈥檚 Extreme Environments Laboratories, which sits within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences. The team investigates how the human body and mind respond to adverse conditions including heat, cold and hypoxia.
Partners include the Ministry of Defence, the RNLI, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The group was awarded the Physiological Society's Excellence in Physiology Award - the first laboratory to receive the honour - in recognition of its life-saving research.
Professor Tipton was also appointed President-Elect of The Physiological Society in 2024, and will become President during the Society's 150th anniversary year.
The full 2025 WAID report is available at the NWSF website. For water safety advice and the Phone Float Throw campaign, visit.
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