Overview
- A 15-year-old boy locally named Irebami, known as Ire, went missing after entering the water at Testwood Lakes during a recent heatwave and a multi-agency search was launched.
- Specialist divers, the police marine unit, the National Police Air Service, fire crews and ambulance teams took part in the search while the nature reserve was closed to the public.
- Hampshire Police confirmed a body was recovered and formally identified, and specially trained officers have been assigned to support the bereaved family.
- The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust expressed condolences, reopened the reserve managed on behalf of Southern Water, and local leaders thanked emergency personnel for their response.
- Local people have left floral tributes at the site and a community fundraiser to cover funeral and memorial costs has raised more than £11,000 to date.