Boy who died at Rother Valley during heatwave could not swim, inquest hears
Last updated 16 hours ago
A 16-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in a lake during the recent heatwave could not swim, an inquest has heard.
Muhammed Secka’s body was found the day after emergency services were called to Rother Valley Country Park, in South Yorkshire, on Bank Holiday Monday.
He is one of at least 15 people who died after getting into trouble in open water during the hot spell.
An inquest into Muhammed’s death was opened and adjourned by Rotherham’s senior coroner Nicola Mundy on Tuesday, at Doncaster Coroner’s Court.
Coroner’s officer Siobhan Golightly told the brief hearing that Muhammed had gone to the country park with friends on Monday May 25.
Ms Golightly said: “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 said Muhammed’s body was located in the water in the early hours of the following day and he was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.
Ms Golightly said: “It’s reported that Muhammed was not able to swim.”
The coroner said a post-mortem examination showed “features in keeping with drowning”.
But Ms Mundy stressed that this is a preliminary conclusion and is subject to further investigations.
She adjourned the inquest to date to be fixed.
No family members were present for the hearing.
Friends of Muhammed and his family started online fundraising campaigns following his death.
One organiser said: “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.”
Muhammed’s death, along with a number of others over the last few weeks, has prompted pleas from the emergency services, families and campaigners for youngsters to stay away from open water, which can be treacherous.
Among at least 15 others who died during the heatwave were Declan Sawyer, 15, who died after getting into trouble at Swanholme Lakes, Lincoln; Reco Puttock, 13, who died after getting into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire; and Chiedza Nyanjowa, 15, who died in hospital after getting into difficulty on Formby beach.