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A 15-year-old boy who drowned after getting into difficulty swimming in a lake had been celebrating the start of the Easter holidays with friends.
Emergency crews were called to Beckenham Place Park in south east London shortly after 3pm on Friday to search for Izaiah Smith, 15, who had gone missing in the lake.
Crews found Izaiah’s body in the water around eight hours later at 10.42pm. The teenager was taken to hospital but unfortunately pronounced dead.
It is understood that the 15-year-old had been out celebrating the start of the Easter holidays when he got into difficulty swimming, with fears that he may have gone into cold water shock.
‘The lake is dangerous – it’s so cold,’ one local dog walker said.
Dozens of teenagers have visited the south London park over the past couple of days to pay respects to Izaiah, who was thought to be a talented footballer.
‘Forever 15. Gone but never forgotten,’ one note read.
‘He was really good at football,’ said a friend.
Police officers stand in the entrance to Beckenham Place Park in South East London after a 15-year-old boy got into difficulty in water
The scene inside Beckenham Park Place on Friday after a 15-year-old boy went missing while swimming in a lake
A police tent is set near the swimming lake in Beckenham on Friday following the teenager’s disappearance
‘He was a winger and a striker – he was so fast.’
The boy’s tragic death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious. His family have been informed.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said on Friday evening: ‘Met Police has suspended a search for a 15-year-old boy at Beckenham Place Park, following the discovery of a body.
‘Officers were called to the park shortly after 15:00hrs on Friday, 4 April following reports of a boy going missing after getting into difficulty in the water.
Dozens of teenagers have visited the south London park over the past couple of days to pay respects to Izaiah
‘Specialist diving teams were in attendance alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.
‘A boy was recovered from the lake at around 22:42hrs on Friday, 4 April. He was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead. His death is being treated as unexpected but not believed to be suspicious.
‘His family are aware and continue to receive support.’
The popular park re-opened on Saturday but the lake remained closed with security in place until further notice.
‘We are working closely with the police in order that their investigation establishes the full facts of what’s happened,’ Lewisham Council said.
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