Brits looking to cool off during the heatwave have been warned against swimming in a disused quarry with “extremely hazardous” water. Thames Valley Police issued a statement this week urging visitors to resist the urge to take a dip in Chinnor Quarry in Oxfordshire amid a flurry of social media posts “encouraging others to attend and swim”.
The force said: “The quarry poses serious and potentially life-threatening risks. The water is extremely hazardous and can cause significant health issues, and the site is surrounded by steep cliff faces with unstable ground. Entering the water or climbing within the quarry can quickly lead to serious injury or worse.”
A spokesperson also reminded locals and tourists that the quarry, also known as Old Kiln Lakes, is a private site, with entry without permission amounting to trespassing.
Police also said they had received reports of anti-social behaviour in and around the quarry, “causing disruption to the local community”.
A man died at the spot last August despite previous warnings of the water’s “highly toxic” nature.
The light-blue colour of the lake has earned it the local nickname “blue lagoon”, although its high alkaline levels from chalk extraction make it unsafe to swim in.
Nearby pub The Crown also urged visitors to “stop travelling here expecting a ‘blue lagoon’ experience” in a social media post.
It read: “We are seeing hoards of people walking by and cars arriving full of visitors treating this area as a tourist attraction. It is not one.
“The water has exceptionally high alkaline levels, comparable to bleach, making it toxic and unsafe … The quarry contains steep 40-foot sheer drops, hidden old machinery beneath the water and has already been the site of tragic fatalities.
“The lakes themselves are private land with no public access to the water. Security measures are in place to deter trespassing … Respect the area, respect private and and most importantly think about your own safety before making the journey.”
The fresh warning to stay away from the Oxfordshire site comes amid a record-breaking spell of hot weather that has seen 12 people die in open water.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has cautioned Brits of the increased risk of cold water shock and drowning while temperatures remain high.
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