A juvenile on a Spalding river bank, believed to be a young girl, was taken to hospital by ambulance suffering from “alcohol-related” symptoms.
East Midlands Ambulance Service was called on Friday teatime to the Coronation Channel Bridge – a favourite location for teenage swimmers – in spite of warnings they are putting their lives at risk.
However, one of the swimmers said the ambulance had been called to a 12-year-old in a group of girls further down the bank.
Sam Forrest (18), of Weston, said: “From what I understand it was a 12-year-old girl who had been drinking.
“We think they were just trying to show off, but the girl got sick and the ambulance was called.”
A spokeman from EMAS said; “There was an ambulance at Coronational Channel Bridge in Spalding, near the entrance to Springfields, on Friday about 6.15pm.
“I understand it was alcohol-related, although a lot of teenagers are jumping in there in spite of warnings about the dangers.”
This incident highlighted a 15 per cent rise in calls to EMAS due to alcohol-related calls in the hot weather.
“This puts our frontline crews under extra pressure and we’re encouraging the public to drink sensibly to avoid becoming a casualty.
“We think they were just trying to show off, but the girl got sick and the ambulance was called.”
A spokesman from EMAS said: “There was an ambulance at Coronation Channel Bridge in Spalding, near the entrance to Springfields, on Friday about 6.15pm.
“I understand it was alcohol-related, although a lot of teenagers are jumping in there in spite of warnings about the dangers.”
During the hot weather there has been a 15 per cent rise in alcohol-related calls to EMAS.
The spokesman said: “This puts our frontline crews under extra pressure and we’re encouraging the public to drink sensibly to avoid becoming a casualty.”
There have been a number of warnings about the dangers of drinking alcohol during the heatwave.
Insp Jim Tyner said: “People are often tempted to drink more alcohol in warm weather. I would advise people to think twice about going in to open water such as the Coronation Channel to cool off.
“I know that it can appear very inviting on sunny days, but the reality is that entering in to any open water can have tragic consequences.
“In addition, this can slow your reaction time, increasing the chances of hypothermia and impairing your judgement.
“People can get drunk quicker in hot weather, leading to dehydration and medical emergency.”
Yesterday (Wednesday), Network Rail launched a digital and poster campaign to highlight the dangers drunken train passengers get themselves into in the country’s rail stations.
More than 1,600 people were injured in trips at 17 stations run by Network Rail in the past year – with drink a factor in many.
A spokesman said: “We want people to enjoy their evenings and get home safe. The only thing we want to see fall is the number of incidents.
“The message is just as relevant in Spalding as other parts of the country.”
Teresa Roche, assistant director for public health at Lincolnshire County Council, suggests drinking plenty of soft drinks and eating to slow down the effects of alcohol.
“Alcohol lowers your reaction times and your sense of danger, so there are some activities that you should avoid.”
Pete Williams, owner of the Punchbowl in Spalding, said he puts packs of bottled water at the door which are given free to customers who need it when leaving the pub after a night out.
He said: “We sell it inside for £1.50, but give it away to customers when they leave.
“The effect of alcohol can creep up on you suddenly – sometimes when you go into a warm building or go outside in the cold.
“In licensed pubs, drinking is supervised. Fortunately, we haven’t had to call an ambulance, but we have sat down with customers outside and given them water.
“It concerns me kids have been drinking on the riverbank – for the price of three drinks in a pub they could buy a bottle of vodka in a supermarket – and that could kill them.”