Maxine Johnson is urging parents to discuss the risks of swimming in open water with their children, particularly concerning cold water shock, after her 15-year-old son, Reuben Morgan, drowned on June 17, 2006, at Pontsticill Reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil.
Reuben was swimming with friends during a camping trip when he experienced cold water shock as he neared the opposite shore of the reservoir. He became unable to stay afloat and reportedly told a friend to leave him to save themselves. His friends reached the shore, but Reuben disappeared. A three-day search operation by specialist teams eventually recovered his body.
Johnson, who now advocates for water safety in schools and community groups, stated, "If that can happen to him, it can happen to anybody."
According to the National Water Safety Forum, there were 202 accidental water-related fatalities across the UK in 2025, with 85% of those being male. The forum noted that the actual number could be higher due to a significant number of water-related deaths being unrecorded or inconclusive.
As the UK experiences a heatwave, Johnson's plea highlights the persistent dangers associated with open water, even in warm weather. The sudden immersion in cooler reservoir waters can lead to cold water shock, which can incapacitate even strong swimmers.