A BOY has been caught on camera swimming in the turbulent waters of the flooded river Wye in Hereford.

Reporter Michael Eden spotted him jumping into the river from Greyfriars walkway.

He then swam under the Old Wye Bridge to the floodgate opposite Die Koffee Pot.

The river swept him under the bridge and out the other side.

People shouted at him to get out as he gave a thumbs up just before he went under the bridge.

OTHER NEWS:

He later managed to climb out where he was met by officers from the Environment Agency, who had watched him swim down the river.

Hereford Times: A boy jumped into the river from Greyfriars walkway. Picture: Michael EdenA boy jumped into the river from Greyfriars walkway. Picture: Michael Eden

People commented on a social media video (since withdrawn from public view) about how outraged they were that he could have put at risk the lives of those who may have needed to rescue him.

Some said he was an “idiot” and others said it could have ended very differently.

Hereford’s Old Bridge closed on Monday evening owing to high river levels as flooding continued.

Hereford Times: He swam under the Old Wye Bridge to a flood gate on the other side. Picture: Michael Eden He swam under the Old Wye Bridge to a flood gate on the other side. Picture: Michael Eden

The Wye peaked in Hereford overnight between 5.2 and 5.4 metres on Monday, short of the record height of 6.1 metres recorded in February 2020.

Superintendent Edd Williams, chairman of the tactical co-ordination group, a multi-agency group tasked with responding to local incidents, said at the time: “Herefordshire has seen river levels peak in some of its rivers, but we have yet to see the peak in Hereford at Belmont and Hereford Bridge, along with Mordiford and Ross-on-Wye.

"We have closed the Old Bridge in Hereford to traffic and pedestrians as we face rising river levels."

Hereford Times: The Old Wye Bridge closed Monday evening due to high river levels. The Old Wye Bridge closed Monday evening due to high river levels.

But it reopened on Tuesday morning (February 22).

Mr Williams condemned the behaviour of the swimmer: "This is foolhardy and reckless behaviour, we have just experienced flooding at a number of different locations across the county, river levels remain very high and fast flowing, not only that there will be hidden debris and weeds that you can easily get entangled in.

"Even in warm, calm weather the water is dangerous, in the conditions we have at the moment it can be deadly and this behaviour should not be repeated, it could have had a very different outcome."

A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “People should keep well away from floodwater at any time, you could be putting yourself and others in danger by entering it on foot or in vehicles, and you run the risk of cold water shock which can be fatal.

"It is impossible to know how deep the water is or whether there are underwater hazards which could drag you below the surface.

“If you were to need rescuing you could be endangering the lives of others, including the blue light agencies who have an extreme workload at this time protecting the public."