Cotswold Lakes Trust has issued a statement following the death of a man in the water park yesterday evening. 

A man died after getting into difficulty while swimming in one of the lakes in the Cotswold Water Park - as temperatures hit 34 degrees Celsius in the area.

The man, in his 20s, was reportedly swimming with a group of friends in Lake 26 when he got into difficulty and drowned.

The lakes trust is a charity dedicated to the conservation of the Cotswold Water Park.

A spokesperson for Cotswold Lakes Trust said: “We were devastated to hear of the tragedy which took place in one of the lakes in the Cotswold Water Park on Monday July 18. 

“We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life and to those who witnessed the incident and tried to assist.

“We know it is tempting to want to swim in the Cotswold Water Park lakes. 

“They may look inviting but many can be dangerous.

“If you want to swim, please put your safety first and find a lake that is specifically managed for open water swimming.” 

Emergency services were called to the scene in Ashton Keynes, at around 6pm on Monday evening.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it sent three fire crews to the scene after being called to the incident by the Coastguard.

READ: More information released after Cotswold Water Park death

Wiltshire Air Ambulance landed nearby, but despite the efforts of first responders, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Swimming is not permitted in any lakes at Cotswold Water Park other than those specifically operated for open water swimming.

These are: Lake 32 Outdoor Centre, Cotswold Water Park Hire (Lake 86) and 4 Lakes. 

There is a large inland paddling and bathing beach at Cotswold Country Park and Beach.

The Cotswold Lakes Trust website says: "We do not advise anyone to swim in any of the lakes unless they are designated for swimming.

"Many of these lakes are very deep, some have strong currents, and there is discarded machinery at the bottom of others." 

Details of lakes operating open water swimming can be found on www.waterpark.org/things-to-do/watersports/swimming/