Teen who drowned in lake throughout UK heatwave couldn’t swim, inquest hears
Teenager Muhammed Secka died after getting into difficulty at Rother Valley Country Park lake in South Yorkshire during the recent UK heatwave, an inquest has heard
Muhammed Secka tragically lost his life during the heatwave(Image: Go Fund Me)
A 16-year-old lad who tragically died after struggling in a lake during the recent heatwave was unable to swim, an inquest has revealed.
Muhammed Secka’s body was discovered the day after emergency services were alerted to Rother Valley Country Park, in South Yorkshire, on Bank Holiday Monday. He is among at least 15 individuals who sadly lost their lives after encountering difficulties in open water during the hot weather.
An inquest into Muhammed’s untimely death was initiated and postponed by Rotherham’s senior coroner Nicola Mundy on Tuesday, at Doncaster Coroner’s Court. Coroner’s officer Siobhan Golightly informed the brief hearing that Muhammed had visited the country park with mates on Monday, May 25.
Ms Golightly stated: “At approximately 7pm he had been in the water with friends when he disappeared from view. The alarm was raised and the emergency services were contacted.”
She explained that Muhammed’s body was found in the water in the early hours of the next day and he was declared dead by paramedics at the scene.
Ms Golightly said: “It’s reported that Muhammed was not able to swim.” The coroner noted that a post-mortem examination displayed “features in keeping with drowning”.
However, Ms Mundy emphasised that this is an initial conclusion and further investigations are still ongoing.
She postponed the inquest to a date yet to be determined. No family members attended the hearing. Following his death, friends of Muhammed and his family launched online fundraising campaigns.
One organiser stated: “Muhammed was a much-loved son, friend, student and member of the community who brought light, laughter and kindness to those around him.
“His loss has deeply affected everyone who knew him, and the pain felt by his family and loved ones is unimaginable.”
The tragic death of Muhammed, along with several others in recent weeks, has led to urgent appeals from emergency services, families and campaigners for young people to avoid open water, which can be perilous.
Among at least 15 others who tragically lost their lives during the heatwave were Declan Sawyer, 15, who died after getting into trouble at Swanholme Lakes, Lincoln; Reco Puttock, 13, who passed away after encountering difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire; and Chiedza Nyanjowa, 15, who sadly died in hospital after getting into trouble on Formby beach.
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