Warning over flood water swimming risk

A senior fire officer who has seen a rise in ‘disaster tourism’ has issued a stark warning about the dangers of swimming in flood waters.

Following flash floods in the wake of torrential weather at the weekend, Cork City Fire Brigade’s assistant chief fire officer, David Spillett, said that people who arrive in flood-stricken areas to swim or kayak in the filthy water should be aware of the potentially deadly hazards.

“Water-borne illnesses have ended the careers of firefighters,” he said.