A coroner’s inquest hears how 15-year-old Declan Sawyer gets into difficulty after entering Swanholme Lakes nature reserve in Hartsholme Park, Lincoln, on 24 May. The court is told the incident happens on a very hot day.
According to accounts referenced in reports, friends who are present see him in distress, including evidence that he appears to be struggling to breathe. Witnesses describe an initial misreading of his behaviour, with some stating they thought his reactions could be a prank.
The reports describe the setting as a lake within a nature reserve and focus on witness observations during the minutes after Sawyer enters the water and begins to get into trouble. The inquest considers the circumstances of the drowning, including how quickly friends notice something is wrong and what actions are taken as the incident unfolds.
