EMERGENCY services have urgently warned of the dangers of swimming in Loch Lomond after two people died in the space of a week.

Owais Malik, 17, could not be resuscitated after the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat crew pulled him from the loch on Sunday evening.

Police received a report of a man in trouble at around 7.16pm and asked the rescue boat crew to go to a beach at Culag, around two miles north of Luss.

Owais was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley but was pronounced dead by medical staff there.

He is said to have been at the loch with his family when the tragedy occurred.

Sunday’s tragedy followed the death of 25-year-old Rebin Rehan, who is understood to have drowned in the loch last Wednesday evening.

He was reported missing at around 9pm that night near the Maid of the Loch and Drumkinnon Bay area.

The loch’s rescue boat crew carried out a search of the area late that night and at first light the next morning, and Rebin’s body was found at around 10am on Thursday.

A spokesman for the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat team asked members of the public to avoid swimming in these open waters, and to be wary that though the depth may appear shallow at first, the situation can quickly become dangerous as the loch bed level drops to create very deep water.

The spokesman said: “In both situations it’s started off as very shallow water, and all of a sudden it drops off and down.”

Police Scotland has also urged members of the public not to enter the water, regardless of the weather and swimming ability.

Dumbarton police inspector Roddy MacNeill said: “I would ask people determined to enter the water, not to do so if not fully confident that you are of sufficient ability to be safe and stay within their depth.

“The rescue boat has uplifted people from the water during summer who are wearing appropriate wetsuits yet still suffer from the effects of the cold.

“The best policy is not to enter the water at all, as getting into difficulty causes others to react which puts them at risk also.”

Parts of Loch Lomond are understood to have undergone work in recent weeks ahead of hosting the European open water swimming championships as part of Glasgow 2018 next month.

Further hazard warning signs were erected last month at the beach area near the incident location in addition to the existing warning signs that have been in place for a number of years to keep those enjoying cooling off in the water during the hot weather informed.

Gordon Watson, chief executive of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic deaths on Loch Lomond over the last week. Our thoughts are with the young men’s family and friends.

“Loch Lomond is a beautiful place enjoyed by many visitors but it can be dangerous and across the loch there are many areas where the water depth changes suddenly and unexpectedly. Even in the hot weather like we have been having recently, the loch is still very cold and shock can set in quickly.”