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Boy, 16, dies after swimming in Colwick Country Park lake

A 16-year-old boy has died after going swimming in a lake at Colwick Country Park in Nottingham.

Emergency services were called to the park at 5.20pm on Wednesday (April 30) after the boy got into difficulty while in the water.

A rescue operation involving police underwater search teams and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service led to the discovery of the body just before 8pm.

Nottinghamshire Police say the boy’s family have been informed and are now being supported by specially-trained officers.

Chief Inspector David Mather, of Notts Police, said: “Emergency services have sadly recovered the body of a teenage boy from the lake, despite the best efforts of rescue teams.

“This is a tragic discovery, and our thoughts are with this boy’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

“While work is now underway to understand how the boy came into difficulty, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight this case as a reminder of the devastating consequences of entering open water – regardless of whether people do so deliberately or inadvertently.

“As in this tragic case, open water can have hidden dangers that can prove fatal, and I would urge anyone who spends any time on or near open water to use this case as a devastating reminder of that – particularly during the recent warm weather we have been experiencing.”

The force says the boy’s death isn’t being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Group Manager Tom Staples, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “On behalf of the Service, and personally, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the boy’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

“This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of open water. We urge everyone to take care around lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water.

“Safety information and guidance are available on our website, and we encourage the public to familiarise themselves with it to help prevent future tragedies.”

Temperatures in Nottingham reached 25 degrees yesterday – the hottest day of the year so far, according to the Met Office.

Forecasts indicate temperatures are due to rise further across the city and county on Thursday (May 1).

Wednesday’s tragedy is believed to be the second death in the last seven years involving a teenager swimming in open water at Colwick Park.

Another 16-year-old boy died at Colwick Park Marina in July 2018.