Children warned to stay away from flooded subway in Daventry after swimmers spotted taking a dip

The subway, on Staverton Road and opposite to the fire station in Marlow Close, is currently fenced off due to water of a depth of almost five feet.

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to stay away from the subway after Northamptonshire Police received a 999 call earlier this week of young children being fully submerged and swimming within the subway.

The danger of a child drowning in this subway is a very real threat, as is the water quality which could contain hazardous materials such as oil off the roads.

The fire service has been working with nearby schools this week to encourage them to reinforce water safety messages to pupils.

Norm James, a watch commander at Daventry Fire Station, said: “Normally you would associate drowning with rivers, lakes or quarries – but this a busy subway in the middle of town that schoolchildren and adults regularly use.

“We would urge everyone to find alternative routes if walking so as to avoid this subway.”