A 15-year-old boy has tragically died after he got into difficulty while swimming in a lake in Beckenham Place Park, located in south-east London.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the boy’s body was recovered from the water at approximately 10:40 PM BST on Friday evening. Emergency services had been called to reports of the teenager going missing after struggling in the water earlier that day at around 3:00 PM. Specialist diving teams, the London Ambulance Service, and the London Fire Brigade all responded to the scene in an attempt to rescue the boy.
Despite the swift response from emergency services, the boy, who has not been publicly named, was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. His family has been informed of the heartbreaking loss.
Police Investigation Underway
While the Metropolitan Police are treating the death as unexpected, they have confirmed that there are no signs of foul play. The boy’s age was initially reported as 16, but it has since been corrected to 15.
A spokesperson for Lewisham Council confirmed that Beckenham Place Park has reopened to the public, though the lake remains closed for the time being. Security has been stationed at the site “until further notice.”
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the boy’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the spokesperson said. “We are working closely with the police to ensure their investigation can establish the full facts of what happened.”
Tragic Incident Follows Another Missing Child Case
This tragedy comes just days after another distressing incident, where an 11-year-old girl, Kaliyah Coa, went missing in the River Thames on Monday. A recovery mission is currently underway to locate the young girl, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
The community is still reeling from both incidents as the investigations continue, and police have urged swimmers and families to take extra precautions near bodies of water.
