Friends of a 15-year-old boy who drowned in a lake on one of the hottest days of the year initially thought he was joking when he began struggling in the water, an inquest has heard. Declan Sawyer was swimming with friends at Swanholme Lakes nature reserve in Hartsholme Park, Lincoln, on the afternoon of May 24 when he got into difficulty.
An inquest in Grimsby was told that Sawyer had been making his way to an island when he began to struggle. One friend stated in a deposition that they initially believed Sawyer was faking his distress but realized he was in serious trouble when he did not surface. Another friend described seeing Sawyer "gasping for air" but also initially thought it was a prank.
The friends attempted to help Sawyer, including trying to get him to float on his back, but were unable to assist him. One noted that they were concerned about being pulled underwater themselves. A member of the public alerted emergency services at 2:20 p.m. after hearing calls for an ambulance.
Declan Sawyer's body was recovered from the lake around 7 p.m. following an extensive search. The day of the incident saw local temperatures in Lincoln reach 27C (81F), marking one of the hottest days of May on record. Swanholme Lakes is a local nature reserve and a nationally recognized Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The coroner, who determined the cause of death as drowning, emphasized the dangers of open water swimming. The coroner noted that unlike controlled environments such as swimming pools, open water can present hidden hazards like cold water shock, strong currents, sudden depth changes, poor visibility, and underwater obstacles. These risks, the coroner stated, can affect swimmers of all ages and abilities and can occur with little warning, even on warm days.
The coroner advised individuals entering open water to assess conditions, swim only in safe areas, avoid swimming alone, and be aware of the potential life-threatening consequences of unexpected difficulties.
In a tribute read to the court, Declan Sawyer's father, Carl, described his son as a popular boy who loved football and fishing. He expressed the profound impact of the loss, stating, "Declan was my boy. Our lives will never be the same again." He also acknowledged the overwhelming support the family had received, which he said demonstrated how popular Declan was.
Declan's aunt, Lindsey Sawyer, shared a slideshow of family memories on Facebook, depicting Declan from toddlerhood through to his teenage years, enjoying activities such as beach outings, motorcycling, and outdoor sports. She described the family as heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss, stating, "RIP Declan forever in our hearts." Sawyer also mentioned Declan's enjoyment of fishing and football, and that he had met some of his heroes from Lincoln City FC.