STATEMENTS have been released along with an urgent call for action following the death of a man at Woodchester Lake on Saturday evening.

The man, aged in his 40s, is believed to be from Nailsworth and tragically died after entering the water on Saturday, June 10.

Emergency services including police and rescue crews were called to the scene in Woodchester Park, at around 4.50pm. 

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it sent three crews to the scene including a boat and eventually recovered the man’s body at around 6.40pm. 

Circumstances surrounding the man’s death are still unclear.

But, warnings have now been issued by councillors and the site's owner, The National Trust, who look after the grounds surrounding Woodchester Mansion. 

A National Trust spokesperson said: “We are saddened to hear of the incident at Woodchester Park on Saturday, June 10. 

“The safety of visitors is our priority and swimming is not permitted in the lakes at Woodchester Park. 

“The lakes are deep, cold and hide many dangers. In addition, mobile phone coverage is poor and it is not easy to call help quickly. 

“There is signage on site saying that swimming is not allowed.”

Gazette Series: The tragic incident happened in one of the lakes at Woodchester Park The tragic incident happened in one of the lakes at Woodchester Park (Image: Newsquest)

The lakes have also been described as "very dangerous" by Cllr Steve Robinson (Gloucestershire County Council) and Cllr Ashley Smith (Stroud District Council), who in a joint statement have called for an urgent meeting between local authorities.

“It was with great sadness that we learned over the weekend of the death of a Nailsworth resident in one of the lakes in Woodchester Park,” their statement reads.

“Over the last few years, and particularly since lockdown, wild swimming has become very popular.  

“The problem with the lakes at Woodchester Park is that there is so much debris below the surface, creating a very dangerous place to swim in.

“Sadly, this is not the first fatality in the lakes.  

“As county and district councillors we feel that suitable measures need to be taken to prevent any further loss of life. 

“We will be calling for a meeting of the National Trust, police, community safety and the local parish council to work with us in order to come up with possible solutions.”

Gazette Series: Woodchester Park is owned by the National Trust and has five lakes. It is located behind Woodchester Mansion Woodchester Park is owned by the National Trust and has five lakes. It is located behind Woodchester Mansion (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 4.54pm on Saturday, June 10 to reports of a man in the water at Woodchester Park. 

“Three fire engines, from Stroud, Dursley and Tewkesbury, were sent to the scene alongside a boat from Tewkesbury.

“We were able to recover a body from the water and handed the incident over to police.

“The stop signal was received at 6.58pm.”

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police previously said: "Officers were called shortly before 4.50pm on Saturday, June 10 after a man was seen entering the water at Woodchester Lake and not resurfacing.

"Police and the fire service attended the scene and the fire service located a body at around 6.40pm.

"It is believed the body is that of a man in his 40s and from Stroud – his next of kin and the coroner have been informed."

Days before the weekend’s tragic incident Stroud neighbourhood policing team issued a strong warning on Twitter on Wednesday, June 7.

A police spokesperson said: “With temperatures set to soar over the next few days, it can be tempting to cool off in rivers and lakes. 

“Please only enter water that is covered by a lifeguard or is a designated swimming area.

“You should never swim alone in open water.”

Earlier this month, an inquest ruled that a 20-year-old who died at Cotswold Water Park in July last year was an accident caused by drowning in freshwater.

The hearing heard that Robbie-Jay Sims got into difficulty after making his way to a yellow buoy in the deeper section of Lake 26. 

Simms was eventually found by emergency services tangled in weeds and was pronounced dead by paramedics. 

When police first confirmed the incident in Woodchester, a statement said the man was from Stroud. It has now been established that the man is from Nailsworth.