Boy played in lake before drowning, inquest hears

A 13-year-old boy who drowned in a lake in Leicestershire had been playing in the water before getting into difficulty, an inquest has heard.

Police were told Hayden Jones-Powell went into Meynell Lake, off Fosse Way in Syston, shortly before 13:30 BST on 25 June.

Leicestershire Police launched a search for the schoolboy and specialist divers recovered his body from the lake later that day.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at Rutland and North Leicestershire Coroner's Court at County Hall, in Glenfield, on Wednesday.

Senior coroner Louise Pinder said Hayden was playing at the lake when he ended up in the water "apparently unable to swim".

A post-mortem examination found that his medical cause of death was drowning.

A police report has not yet been filed with the court, however the court was told there were "no suspicious circumstances" surrounding the death.

The inquest will be heard in full at a later date.

Speaking shortly after his death, his parents, Ben Jones-Powell and Emily Ambler, said Hayden had a passion for football and a love of animals.

"We want him to be remembered by his big smile," they said.

"The world isn't the same without him.

"His love of animals, his passion towards football and being outside.

"Hayden also had an amazing sense of humour and was extremely quick-witted.

"We don't know how we will cope without him."

A spokesperson for Wreake Valley Academy in Syston - where Hayden was a pupil - previously said: "We are devastated by the loss of one of our students and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their family and friends.

"This tragic accident has deeply affected everyone at our school and we are providing support to students, staff, and families who need it.

"We kindly ask that the privacy of those affected is respected during this extremely difficult time."

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