A 16-year-old boy who tragically drowned in a lake during the heatwave has been identified as Muhammad Secka. The teenager, from Sheffield, went missing while swimming in open water at Rother Valley Country Park in Rotherham on Monday. His body was recovered the following day.
Muhammad was described by those who knew him as a 'lovely, kind boy' who cooked meals for his mother and sister and dreamed of becoming a doctor. His death marks the eleventh person to die in the UK during the May heatwave, which saw temperatures reach highs of 35C and brought water shortages to thousands of homes in the southeast.
Friends and Family Pay Tribute
Muhammad's friend, Kelly Osayi, said the boy was 'loved by many people', adding: 'It is tragic that he died at just the age of 16, which still doesn't feel real for most of us. Muhammad always used to smile, everyone liked him. When I heard what had happened, I just broke down.'
Neighbour Sharon Wells said: 'He was a lovely kind boy who bought sweets for his younger brother and sister out of his pocket money. Cooked meals for the family. Bought his mother jewellery. And so clever, he was top of his class, looking forward to going to college and wanted to become a doctor.'
Series of Drownings During Heatwave
Muhammad's death follows that of ten others who drowned this month in open water. On Wednesday, the body of 14-year-old Baltazar L'Qui was found in the River Thames, and the body of another teenage boy was found in Swanscombe, Kent. The same day, the body of a missing teenage boy was found in a lake near Blackwater in Hampshire, after he went missing while swimming.
On Tuesday, two people were found dead: 17-year-old David Junior-Tita from Crewe, who died at Pickmere Lake in Cheshire, and 12-year-old Junior Slater, who died after getting into difficulty in the River Ribble in Lancashire. Muhammad Secka was also found after being reported missing the previous day.
On Monday, four people died as temperatures reached 34.8C at Kew Gardens, breaking the record for the hottest ever May day. Among those who died were 13-year-old Reco Puttock, who was pronounced dead after being found in Leadbeater Dam in Halifax, West Yorkshire. The same day, the body of 16-year-old Lillianna Tomlinson was found at Warwickshire's Kingsbury Water Park.
Heroic grandfather Phil Crow, 68, also died after suffering a cardiac arrest when he ran into the sea trying to rescue his wife and granddaughter after they got into difficulty at Tregirls Beach in Padstow, Cornwall. On Sunday, an unnamed 72-year-old woman died off West Angle Beach in Pembrokeshire, and 15-year-old Declan Sawyer died after getting into difficulty at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln.
Health Warnings and Safety Advice
Throughout the week, the UK Health Security Agency issued heat health alerts for parts of England, warning of a greater risk of water-related deaths. The UKHSA said water-related incidents could increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning. The body also warned of a greater risk to life for vulnerable people and an increased need for healthcare services.
The heatwave has seen record temperatures for May, including a hottest ever daytime record of 35.1C on Wednesday. The hot spell has led many people to take to local lakes and ponds to keep cool. However, the Royal Life Saving Society has warned Britons to take extra care following the spate of water-related deaths, noting that 'warmer weather unfortunately sees an increase in accidental drownings'.
Emergency services are struggling to cope with increased demand. London's ambulance service reported its busiest day since the pandemic, and the South Western Ambulance Service had its busiest day on record, responding to nearly 4,000 incidents. Experts advise swimming in supervised areas with lifeguards, avoiding jumping from heights, and assessing swimming ability before entering water.
Water colder than 15C can cause cold-water shock, leading to panic, hyperventilation, and decreased dexterity. Anyone in trouble should 'float to live' by lying on their back and relaxing to catch their breath. Temperatures are expected to cool from Friday, with the Met Office stating: 'From Friday, temperatures will continue to ease and turn fresher as the hot spell breaks.'
