Boy, 15, dies after getting into difficulty in lake at London park

Katie Boyden and Luke Alsford

Published April 4, 2025 5:25pm Updated April 5, 2025 11:58am

?? Licensed to London News Pictures. 05/04/2025. London, UK. A police tent is set near swimming lake in Beckenham. Emergency services were called shortly after 3 p. m. on Friday the 4th to Beckenham Place Park in south-east London, after a 16-year-old boy went missing following difficulties in a lake. . Photo credit: Marcin Nowak/LNP — The boy’s body was found last night (Picture: Marcin Nowak/LNP)

A teenage boy has died after ‘getting into difficulty’ while swimming in a lake at a popular London park.

Emergency services were called to Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham, southeast London, shortly after 3pm on Friday to reports the boy was missing.

Police officers have now stopped searching after his body was recovered from the lake at around 10:42pm last night.

Despite being rushed to hospital the 15-year-old was pronounced dead.

A 16-year-old boy has gone missing while swimming in a lake at Beckenham Park Place in Lewisham, prompting a major emergency response and evacuation of the park. The boy was last seen at around 3:08 PM on Friday, April 4, after reportedly getting into difficulty in the water. Emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade, are currently coordinating a search operation at the scene. The park has been cleared to aid the efforts. A police spokesperson confirmed: ???Police were called at 3:08 PM to Beckenham Place Park. A 16-year-old boy is believed to have got into difficulty in the water and is now missing. Emergency services are currently coordinating a search. The next of kin has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.??? The incident has left the local community shaken, as emergency personnel continue their efforts to locate the teenager. Rising Concerns Over Water Safety This tragic incident marks the second case in London this week where a young person has gone missing in water. Kaliyah Coa, an 11-year-old girl, remains missing after slipping into the River Thames near Barge House Causeway on Monday. Despite extensive searches, she has not yet been found. In a separate incident, a body was recovered from Crown Lakes near Peterborough after a teenager went missing while swimming on Wednesday. These recent cases have sparked public concern over water safety, especially as warmer weather draws more people to outdoor swimming spots. The Metropolitan Police have urged the public to remain cautious when near open water, particularly in unsupervised areas where currents and temperature changes can pose significant risks. Community Reaction Local residents have expressed their fears and support for the boy???s family. One park visitor commented: ???It???s heartbreaking. I come here often with my kids, and I can???t imagine what the family must be going through. I just hope they find him safe.??? Authorities — Emergency services are at the scene (Picture: UKNIP)

A police spokesperson told Metro: ‘Met Police has suspended a search for a 15-year-old boy at Beckenham Place Park, following the discovery of a body.

‘Officers were called to the park shortly after 15:00hrs on Friday, 4 April following reports of a boy going missing after getting into difficulty in the water.

‘Specialist diving teams were in attendance alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.

‘A boy was recovered from the lake at around 22:42hrs on Friday, 4 April.

‘He was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead. His death is being treated as unexpected but not believed to be suspicious.

‘His family are aware and continue to receive support.’

The force originally said the boy was 16-years-old but have since confirmed his age as 15.

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Beckenham Place Park was evacuated yesterday afternoon as search and rescue crews scoured the lake to find the missing swimmer.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson told Metro yesterday: ‘We have been called to reports of one person in the water at Beckenham Place Park lake in Beckenham.

‘Five fire engines and around 35 firefighters are in attendance. Crews from Woodside, Lewisham, Beckenham, Croydon and Euston fire stations are at the scene.

Beckenham Park Place — A search helicopter is flying above the park (Picture: UKNIP)

‘The Brigade’s 999 Control officers were called at 3.14pm and are still in attendance.’

This is the second case of a child going missing in water in the capital in the space of a week.

Kaliyah Coa, aged 11, is still missing after slipping and falling into the River Thames on Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile a body has been pulled from the water at Crown Lakes near Peterborough after a teenager went missing while swimming on Wednesday.

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