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Boy, 12, drowns in River Lea at Hackney Marshes

Harry Low,Hackney Marshesand
Jess Warren,London
BBC A blue balloon and pink flowers tied to a tree trunk next to a river.BBC
A balloon and flowers were left at the scene on Monday

A 12-year-old boy has drowned in north-east London.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called to reports of a person in the water in the River Lea, near the Hackney Marshes, just after 18:00 BST on Saturday.

Crews searched the river alongside the Metropolitan Police, and the boy's body was recovered by police divers hours later, at about 00:15 BST on Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mayor of Hackney, Zoë Garbett, said she was heartbroken to learn of the boy's death, adding: "All of our thoughts are with the child's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

The River Lea with trees on either side of the bank.
The boy's body was recovered from the River Lea by police divers on Sunday morning

Garbett thanked the emergency services for their "rapid response" and "extensive efforts".

"This is a devastating loss for our community, and I know many will be feeling a deep sense of shock and sadness," she said.

"The boy's family will need time to grieve this unimaginable loss, so please respect their privacy."

Trees and shrubs surround the river, some with branches extending into the water.
The stretch of River Lea near where the boy was thought to have gone in the water

The Met said the boy's death was being treated as unexpected, and his next of kin had been informed and were being supported by specialist officers.

Det Insp Azmeen Pinnu, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts are with the boy's family, friends and the wider community.

"This incident is now being investigated on behalf of the coroner, and inquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened."

John Martin, Hackney Marshes Centre duty manager, said he was about to lock the site gates on Saturday evening when he saw ambulances, fire engines and helicopters at the scene, and a police officer told him that a 12-year-old boy had gone missing in the river.

John Martin in a t-shirt and gilet. He has dark hair and a beard.
John Martin, duty manager at Hackney Marshes Centre, said his heart went out to the boy's family

He described Hackney Marshes as a "busy place" with a canal that "runs for miles". Martin said people had visited the marshes on Saturday and had barbecues in the area.

"I think that's probably where the child has gone in the water," he said. "We do get a lot of people that do go swimming in there, especially on hot days.

"It's very sad news... I've got kids myself and I've worked at swimming pools and it's not what you want to hear. My heart goes out to the family."

The LFB said it sent fire engines from Homerton, Leyton and Leytonstone fire stations to the scene along with specialist fire rescue units from Edmonton and Bethnal Green fire stations, and the brigade's drone team.

Firefighters left the scene just after 21:30 on Saturday, the LFB added.

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