AN Olympic medallist is backing a campaign to encourage young people to think twice about jumping into rivers as the hot spell continues.

Rower Jess Eddie, who won silver at Rio, is backing the Dying to be Cool summer campaign.

The campaign was launched by the Safe Durham Partnership after the death of 14-year-old Cameron Gosling, who lost his life as a result of cold water shock after jumping into the River Wear in July 2015.

Jess, a former Durham St Leonard’s Catholic School pupil, learned to row on the River Wear, with Durham Amateur Rowing Club as a teenager and says she is acutely aware of the dangers rivers pose.

She said: “Rivers are such a busy and life-giving environment, I know because I spend all my time rowing around on them.

“They are however untamed and wild, just as you wouldn't start climbing up a cliff unaided, you certainly shouldn't think about jumping or crossing a river without any expertise or knowledge.

“They are dangerous places, with freezing temperatures as well as tides and currents, which most of the time are invisible from the bank".

Cameron Gosling’s mum Fiona added: “I am delighted that Jess has taken time out of her busy schedule to help spread the word about water safety.

“With the weather we’re enjoying at the moment, we know teenagers will think swimming in rivers is a great idea but I’d say to them: please, don’t jump in without acclimatising.”