AS summer begins, West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is warning of the dangers of swimming in open waters.

The service is running a week-long campaign across social media, which in part focusses on Gullet Quarry near Malvern, where two young men drowned in 2013.

Russell O'Neill, 17, from Worcester, died on July 6 after swimming with friends in the quarry. A second man, Justas Juzenas, 22, from Ross-on-Wye, died six days later.

WMAS water safety expert John Woodhall, who was involved in both incidents at Gullet Quarry, said: “As soon as you jump in something as cold as this water, what you get is a physiological response. When the cold water hits your chest you will almost gasp. If you take any water in during that, it will cause you to cough, splutter. You will quickly get into difficulty and you may potentially drown.”

To follow the campaign visit www.officialwmas.wordpress.com.