TRIBUTES have been paid to a “lovely” teenage boy after he tragically drowned.
Muhammad Secka, 16, died in the water at Rother Valley on Monday, meaning 12 people have been killed in the water following the recent heatwave.
Muhammad’s body was recovered on Tuesday and his family were informed.
A fundraiser has been set up in his memory and to cover the costs of his funeral – and to raise awareness of the dangers of swimming in open water.
According to neighbour who knew Muhammad, he was a “lovely kind boy” who would cook meals for mother and sister and dreamed of becoming a doctor.
This comes after a teen drowned in the River Thames has been pictured for the first time with eyewitnesses saying they did all they could to save him.
Baltazar L’Quy, 14, died after “getting into difficulty” in the river, becoming the twelfth person to die in water-related incidents during the record-breaking heatwave.
Emergency services raced to Donnington Bridge shortly before 6pm on Wednesday but he was tragically confirmed dead at the scene.
The Oxford Timorese Community Association confirmed the teenager’s name to the BBC and said it was a “heartbreaking time”.
Speaking to the broadcaster, a member of the association said: “This has been a very painful moment, not only for the family, but also for the Timorese community, in Oxford and across the United Kingdom.
“This tragedy is very sad and is shocking to most parents – not only within the East Timor community.”
They added they had been in contact with Baltazar’s family and his heartbroken mum sent a warning to other parents about their children entering the water.
She advised to tell their kids “don’t just go into any water and to always make sure that they go in with an adult”.
A rescuer who was on the scene at the time of the incident said they did “absolutely everything humanely possible to find him and help him,” reports Oxford Mail.
“I was there that evening, and I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that he was not alone,” they said.
They added that those who were present are “holding you in our thoughts and sending you all the love and support in the world”.
Thames Valley Police said the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious and its investigation is ongoing.
In a statement, the force said: “We are sad to confirm a boy died after getting into difficulty in the River Thames at Donnington Bridge yesterday.
“The 14-year-old boy’s family have been informed and offered support; our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.”
Oxford East MP, Anneliese Dodds, said Baltazar’s death was “shocking” and “very upsetting news“.
She said: “My thoughts and sympathy are with this poor boy’s family and everyone who was at the scene of this dreadful incident.
“This tragedy appears to have happened near the terrible incidents with Aown Dogar and Hussain Mohammed, may they rest in peace.
“It’s awful to see again a young life being lost in this way.”
The tragedy comes as eleven other people have sadly died in separate incidents after getting into difficulty in water at popular beauty spots in the UK and Ireland during the hot weather.
A number of young people have died in incidents in Kent, Dublin, Lincoln, Halifax, Warwickshire, South Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and Farnborough.
Elsewhere, a 68-year-old man lost his life in Cornwall while a 72-year-old woman died in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
