A 13-year-old schoolboy who drowned after going “lake jumping” with friends had told them he couldn’t swim. Hayden Jones-Powell died at Meynell Lake in Leicestershire on June 25, an inquest heard on Friday.
What happened at the lake
Hayden was one of 15 children who went to the lake after Wreake Valley Academy closed early that day due to high temperatures. He had told his friends he couldn’t swim before entering the water and was last seen at around 12.45pm.
His friends raised the alarm and teachers from the academy rushed to the lake to search for him, but without success. Officers were called just after 1.30pm, and specialist dive teams, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service searched the lake.
Discovery and inquest conclusion
Later that evening, at 8.15pm, Hayden was found in the water. A post-mortem examination confirmed he had drowned. Leicestershire Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, and coroner Isobel Thistlethwaite recorded a conclusion of accident.
Hayden’s parents, Ben Jones-Powell and Emily Ambler, paid tribute to their son, saying he had a passion for football and a love of animals. “We want him to be remembered by his big smile,” they said. “The world isn’t the same without him. His love of animals, his passion towards football and being outside.”
Tributes and community grief
Hayden was a keen West Bromwich Albion supporter with a wide circle of friends and leaves behind two older brothers and a sister. His aunt, Charlotte Powell, described him as “just a really lovely little cheeky boy.” She said: “He wanted to cool off from the heat and enjoy the cool water, getting some respite from the heatwave after school.”
Hundreds gathered in Syston’s Central Park two days after the tragedy to release balloons in his memory, with many wearing T-shirts printed with his photo. Flowers, cards and balloons were left along a nearby fence in tribute. Ms Powell said: “Not one child doesn’t know Hayden. They all loved him. You’ve only got to look up the fence to see the tributes they’ve paid to see what an impact that boy had in 13 years. It’s incredible.”
His friends recalled his sense of humour, saying he would ask the school’s deputy head teacher what was in his sandwiches every single day. Wreake Valley Academy said it was devastated by the loss, with a spokesperson stating: “This tragic accident has deeply affected everyone at our school and we are providing support to students, staff, and families who need it.”
