Boy, 15, missing after swimming in lake

A major search and rescue operation is under way after a 15-year-old boy who had been swimming at a nature reserve went missing.

Emergency services have been attending the scene at Testwood Lakes, near Totton, Hampshire, since about 13:45 GMT.

Hampshire Police said it had deployed marine units to aid in the search, and that the site was off limits, with people advised to avoid the area.

The National Police Air Service, South Central Ambulance Service, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service were also sent to the scene.

The incident happened as the record for the hottest ever June day in the UK was provisionally broken, with temperatures soaring to 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire.

In a statement, Testwood Lakes said it was "extremely concerned" to hear of the "serious incident".

"Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police has confirmed that a multi-agency operation is under way following a report that a 15-year-old boy is missing after he was last seen swimming at Testwood Lakes," it said.

"We have taken the decision to close the nature reserve until further notice and join the police in asking members of the public to please avoid the area at this time."

Testwood Lakes is owned by Southern Water and managed on the ground by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

A Southern Water spokesman said: "We are aware of the ongoing multi-agency emergency response at Testwood Lakes following reports of a missing young person.

"Our thoughts are with the boy's family and friends at this deeply worrying time.

"We would strongly urge members of the public to follow police advice, avoid the area, and allow emergency services to carry out their search."

BBC reporter Hannah Walsh, speaking from the scene earlier, said: "The road into Testwood Lakes is closed, with a police closure sign and cones in place.

"A number of cars have pulled up to collect people - possibly at the lakes before it was evacuated - and many of them have been sat opposite the lake entrance on a grass area in the shade, trying to stay cool."

She added that although the first wave of emergency service vehicles had left, two search and rescue units had now arrived.