You idiots

Two men risked death with a daredevil prank by swimming in Shrewsbury’s swollen River Severn as flood levels continued to rise.

See also: Latest flood photos

The men, who were wearing wetsuits, were spotted in the middle of the river between the Quarry Park and St Julian’s Friars, where the water had flooded the land.

Emergency services were called out to search the water for two men at around 1.30pm following a call from the member of public, but did not find them yesterday.

Police and safety chiefs today condemned their actions amid the current dangerous condition of the river, which is expected to rise to 4.4m in Shrewsbury tonight.

The fire service boat also combed the river between Welsh Bridge and The Weir, at about 4pm yesterday, after a member of the public said a man had entered the water near the quarry.

Emergency services used search lights to try to find him as light faded.

Scores of people watched as the boat was first launched near Welsh Bridge but the search quickly moved into the Quarry Park, near The Boat House pub.

A fire service spokesman said the search was called off at 5.10pm and nobody was found in the river.

The pictures of two men swimming in the river were sent in by Shropshire Star reader Liz Nimmo who was walking through the Quarry Park when she spotted the two heads in the water.

Sergeant Ian Roberts, from West Mercia Police, said: “We had a report of two persons in wetsuits going in the river. We believe they might have been canoeists. Police did search the river but did not find them.

“We want to make people aware of the danger of going near the river at the moment.

“Rivers are generally dangerous for swimming in but even more so at this time of year when it is flooded and there is the danger of flash flooding.

“Parents should be aware of their children going near the river.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) today also urged people to stay away from the river. Spokesman David Walker said there had been 99 inland deaths on rivers and canals since 2000.

He warned against copying the swimmers.