Firefighters have issued a warning about playing near water after a young boy had to be rescued from a river in Sheffield.

The youngster, thought to be aged around 12, was with three friends when he fell into water near to Edmund Road in Heeley on Thursday afternoon.

Fire crews from Central, Aston and the Technical Rescue Unit from Dearne were quickly on the scene. They managed to help the boy to safety using a ladder.

SYFR's Group Manager Steve Green said: “Fortunately he was only up to his waist in water, but the bank was very steep and there were large concrete walls on either side so he couldn't get out himself.

“The warm weather may encourage people to cool off in water but they need to remember that it presents a number of hazards irrespective of its depth.”

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