College Student Tragedy at Colwick Country Park

A 16-year-old boy who tragically died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a lake during Britain’s mini-heatwave has been named locally as Valentine Ikechukwu.

Valentine, a college student originally from America, went missing yesterday while swimming with friends at Colwick Country Park in Nottingham during the warm weather. Temperatures in the area had soared to 25°C (77°F), the hottest so far this year.

Emergency services were called to the lake at 5.20pm after reports that a teenager was struggling in the water. Despite a major search operation involving police divers and firefighters, Valentine’s body was recovered just before 8pm.

Friends Recall Tragic Final Moments

Witnesses described how Valentine, who was reportedly unable to swim, initially waded into the lake with friends before slipping below the surface.

One of his devastated friends said:

“We were just playing waist-deep, but he went out further. He grabbed me around the waist, trying to stay afloat, but he lost his strength and sank.
I saw his head disappear under the water. It’s heartbreaking — if we had known he couldn’t swim, we would have told him to stay in the shallow water.”

Heartbroken friends gathered at the scene today, leaving flowers and balloons tied to a pontoon near where Valentine entered the lake.

Police and Fire Service Issue Open Water Warning

Chief Inspector David Mather of Nottinghamshire Police said:

This tragic discovery reminds us of the dangers of open water. Even strong swimmers can quickly get into trouble. We urge everyone to exercise extreme caution around lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, especially in warm weather.

Tom Staples, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, added:

“Despite our best efforts, we are deeply saddened to confirm the loss of this young life. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Valentine’s family and friends.

Authorities have confirmed that Valentine’s death is not being treated as suspicious. A file is being prepared for the coroner.

Rise in Water-Related Incidents Amid Heatwave

Valentine’s death comes amid a spike in water-related fatalities across the UK.
Other recent tragedies include:

Izaiah Smith, 15, who drowned at Beckenham Place Park in South East London on April 2.
Kaliyah Coa, 11, who died after entering the River Thames near Woolwich on March 31.

The London Fire Brigade recently reported a 32% increase in water-related incidents compared to the same period last year, urging the public to stay safe near open water.

Community Mourns

Local residents have described Colwick Country Park as a beautiful but risky area. While some parts are designated for open water swimming, others are marked with ‘no swimming’ signs due to dangers like cold water shock, hidden debris, and unpredictable depths.

Councillor Sam Lux, from Nottingham City Council, said:

“We urge the public to respect safety signs and only swim in supervised, organised sessions. Our thoughts are with Valentine’s family at this devastating time.”