REGIONAL ambulance chiefs are urging people to take extra care around open water this summer.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) issued the plea after revealing an increase in the number of incidents it had attended involving casualties in water.

Crews responded to 299 call-outs in the past year, compared to 261 in 2018-19 – a 15 per cent rise.

And many of the incidents occurred in the summer months.

YAS is promoting the safety message to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, organised by Royal Life Saving Society UK.

Nick Smith, executive director of operations with YAS, said: “Every year, too many lives are tragically lost through drowning.

“It’s vital to remind people to stay safe and take personal responsibility near water.”

He warns that open water is often colder than it looks and even when it appears calm, there can be dangerous currents.

For advice, visit rlss.org.uk.