SWIMMERS were warned last night they risk their lives if they jump from river bridges.

Hot weather has seen some people plunge into the Thames to cool off.

But two months ago Hussain Mohammed jumped from Donnington Bridge with tragic consequences.

The Oxford Spires Academy pupil was pulled out unconscious two hours later and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital , where he died.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price, whose Hinksey Park ward includes Donnington Bridge, said: “That particular, tragic accident underlines the danger.

“People assume they can use the river as a bathing place without taking great care. They are risking their lives. If it is not deep enough they can injure or kill themselves.”

Parents must supervise their children, he said, as he warned adults: “If they get into trouble it is the emergency services and other people who could try to rescue them and, in the process, could be in danger themselves.”

Since 2010, county hospitals have seen about 25 injuries related to recreational jumping. Most injuries were to ankles and lower limbs and some patients needed resuscitation and suffered broken bones.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service risk reduction manager Stuart Garner said: “We urge people not to swim in rivers, lakes, canals or isolated pools and strongly recommend you only swim in supervised locations where there are likely to be lifeguards present.”

The Environment Agency, which maintains the county’s rivers, warned jumpers were putting themselves at risk and said the water could be very cold, even in hot weather, causing cramp and breathing difficulties.

But the warnings did not deter a group the Oxford Mail photographed at Godstow Bridge over the Thames at Wolvercote on Wednesday.

Cutteslowe resident Liam Redmond, 23, said: “I only do it at that place because it is the safest. No one has got hurt there before.”

The hotel waiter, who said he enjoyed the “adrenaline” of jumping, added: “There is jumping off a bridge and being stupid jumping off a bridge. I wouldn’t say it is safe, but there is less risk.”

Mechanical engineering student Danny Sharif, 23, said: “We only use that bridge as we know it is safe. We have never seen anyone injured jumping off there. It is very deep.

“If you are not a confident swimmer and you don’t know what you are doing, then you shouldn’t jump off.”