Boy who died in lake 'could not swim' - inquest

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.

Doncaster Coroner's Court heard earlier that a post-mortem examination showed "features in keeping with drowning", but the coroner stressed this conclusion was preliminary and subject to further investigations.

Muhammed is one of at least 17 people who died after getting into trouble in open water during the recent heatwave.

The inquest into Muhammed's death was opened and adjourned to a date to be fixed by senior coroner Nicola Mundy.

Coroner's officer Siobhan Golightly told the brief hearing that Muhammed had gone to the country park with friends on 25 May.

Golightly said: "At approximately 19:00 BST, 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.

Golightly said: "It's reported that Muhammed was not able to swim."

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.

Among those who died during the heatwave were Reco Puttock, 13, who got into difficulty at Leadbeater Dam near Halifax, Palwasha Akbar, 13, who went missing in a river in North Yorkshire and Mackenzie Swift, 11, who entered the River Don in Mexborough.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North