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Inquest Opened Into Declan Sawyer's Death After Swanholme Lakes Drowning

An adjourned inquest with a post-mortem ruling of drowning highlights risks from open-water swimming

Overview

  • An inquest into 15-year-old Declan Sawyer's death was opened on Thursday and adjourned to resume on November 23.
  • Declan was reported missing after getting into difficulty at Swanholme Lakes on May 24 and specialist divers and an underwater search team later recovered his body.
  • A post-mortem conducted on May 28 recorded the medical cause of death as drowning and the body was formally identified by Police Sergeant Thomas Hardy.
  • Declan's father published a tribute describing his son as much loved and the family has urged parents to teach children about the dangers of open water.
  • Reports link the incident to heightened open-water activity during the May heatwave and the case could prompt calls for clearer local water-safety education and warnings.