Teenager who drowned in Lake District tarn died by misadventure
The 17-year-old got into difficulty while swimming to a small island near Ulverston
A teenager who drowned while swimming in a Lake District tarn died by misadventure, an inquest has concluded.
17-year-old Absi Ahmed Mohammad, from Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire, got into difficulty in the water at High Dam Tarn, near Ulverston in Cumbria, on 7th April 2026.
The inquest was held at H.M. Coroner's Court in Workington on 19th August 2026, before Senior Coroner Kirsty Gomersal.
What happened
At around noon on 7th April, the teenager was with a group of friends at High Dam Tarn, Finsthwaite, on what the inquest heard was a sunny and warm day.
The group decided to swim to a small island about 150m from the west shore of the tarn.
About halfway across, Absi, who was not a strong swimmer, got into difficulties and began shouting for help.
Despite the efforts of his friends, he became submerged and disappeared from view.
The search
A multi-agency search and rescue operation followed.
He was recovered at 20:52 and his death was formally confirmed at 20:58.
The coroner's conclusion
The inquest heard the water temperature was around 11 degrees.
The medical cause of death was given as drowning, and it is likely he suffered cold-induced swim failure.
The coroner recorded a conclusion of death by misadventure.