POLICE chiefs in Scotland are pleading with Scots to take care around water after four children and two adults drowned this weekend. 

Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr issued the warning following the series of tragic deaths and ahead of the discovery of the body of a 13-year-old boy today who had been missing since getting into difficulties in Hazelbank, Lanark last night.

The deaths of a man, woman and child in Loch Lomond were announced today while a seven-year-old boy is fighting for his life after getting into difficulties last night.

Three boys, aged 11, 13 and 16 have been confirmed dead in separate incidents yesterday and on Friday.

Kerr wrote on social media: "Please, please, be careful if swimming in one of the many beautiful Lochs and rivers across Scotland. 

"The past 48hrs have seen the deaths of 3 children (a further child is still missing), and 2 adults in water accidents.

"Absolutely heartbreaking so please take care in water."

He added: "Consider using our on-line reporting tools where at all possible.
"Finally, please spare a thought for the hard working teams in our contact mgt centres. They are incredibly busy, but very professional and committed, and deserve our support (and some kindness!)

"Our control centres are incredibly busy at the moment, with very high call numbers (over 6k emergency, and 12k non- emergency calls over the past 48hrs).

"We’ll continue to prioritise emergency calls, please be patient with us on all other calls …"

Police Scotland said earlier today they were called to a report of concerns for people in the water near Pulpit Rock, Loch Lomond, south of Ardlui, on Saturday evening.

A 41-year-old man, a 29-year-old woman and a nine-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene.

The seven-year-old boy was rushed by ambulance to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where he is currently in intensive care

A Police Scotland statement said it received the call at about 6.40pm on Saturday.

It added: "A multi-agency operation took place and sadly three people were pronounced dead at the scene.

"Formal identification has still to take place but the family of a 41-year-old man, 29-year-old woman and nine-year-old boy have been made aware."

A report into the incident will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal. 

It brought the number of people who have died in Scotland after getting into difficulty in the water to six since Friday. 

A 16-year-old boy died in the water at Balloch Country Park, at the south end of Loch Lomond, on Friday.

An 11-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene after being found in the river at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, on Saturday afternoon.

In a second incident reported on Saturday, officers attended at the water on Hazelbank, Lanark around 5.55pm following the report of a concern for person in the water.

Emergency services attended and a body was recovered from the river today. The family of a 13-year-old boy been made aware. Formal identification has still to take place in relation to each these incidents and full reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. 

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: "The number of deaths in open water this weekend is hard to comprehend and my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected. 

"The warm weather can make open water swimming and paddling very inviting but it is extremely dangerous, even for the most experienced swimmers or supervised children. The conditions can change very quickly and there are often hidden risks like deeper water and strong currents.

"The message I want to send to everyone is exercise extreme caution. It is better to keep a safe distance from water if possible. Tragically, this weekend has highlighted that open water is very, very dangerous.

"If you see someone in the water and distressed call 999 immediately. Remember, you could get into difficulty yourself trying to help so please take care and seek help as soon as possible."