THE drowning death of Bradford teenager Mohammad Abu Farhan at Goit Stock waterfall earlier this year has been ruled a “tragic accident” following his inquest.

Coroner Martin Fleming also issued a warning to “people of all ages” of the dangers of bathing or swimming in open water during the virtual hearing held this morning.

Bradford Coroner’s Court heard how Mohammad had walked for five hours with friends from his home in Barkerend to Goit Stock waterfall in Cullingworth to go for a swim on March 30, when the weather was hot.

The 14-year-old could not swim, and after entering the water with a friend got into trouble and was dragged under by the current from the waterfall.

Three strangers at the site attempted to save him but could not find the Laisterdyke Leadership Academy pupil and aspiring car engineer, with his body eventually recovered by an officer from the Yorkshire and Humber Marine and Underwater Search Unit at around 11.30pm and he was pronounced dead in hospital at 12.40am on March 31.

A statement by his elder sister Salma Akhtar was read in court, in which she described her brother as “always smiling”.

She said: “He was bright and well-engaged at school and wanted to be an engineer as he had a keen interest in cars.

“Like the whole family he was an avid Liverpool FC fan and loved playing football with his friends, and he always had the biggest smile on his face.”

She said Mohammad had never been to Goit Stock before, and had told their parents he was going out with friends but didn’t say where or that he was going swimming.

She said he’d had swimming lessons in primary school but as far as she was aware he couldn’t swim.

Three men tried to save Mohammad after hearing shouting that afternoon at the scene.

Ibrahim and Khadija Ahmed were in the Goit Stock woods on a walk together in the sunshine when they bumped into Mohammad and his friends by the pool.

Ibrahim said he warned them not to go too far in as the water would be cold and deep as some of the boys began paddling by the edge.

“I then heard my wife shout ‘he’s gone under’,” Mr Ahmed said, “and I jumped in and started looking for him but the water was murky.

“His friend was also in difficulty and I managed to pull him to the side, and as I did I could feel the current around my legs. The lad had no chance.

“I told my wife to call 999 and I stayed on the line until paramedics arrived.”

Two other men who had come to the waterfall from Leeds also tried to assist.

Max Lambert and his friend are both experienced in outdoor swimming, and jumped in to try and rescue Mohammad after hearing the commotion.

He said: “People were shouting ‘he’s drowning’ so immediately we went in.

“It was very cold and we dived repeatedly to the bottom trying to find him, but we couldn’t find anyone.”

His friend said the bottom was “covered in rocks” and they had to stay away from the waterfall itself as “we know the dangers of being dragged under”.

The police underwater team arrived at around 11pm and began work to look for Mohammad.

Sergeant Paul Jackson led the dive and said the site location was “one of the most challenging sites I’ve been called to”.

He said when he entered the pool he could feel the underwater current from the waterfall, and that visibility was poor from silt in the water and it being night-time.

He said the bottom of the pool was 3.5 metres deep and the current pulled him five to seven metres along the bed under the waterfall, which was where he found Mohammad’s body face down.

He said his body was not trapped under any objects, and agreed it was the current which kept his body down there.

After Mohammad was recovered he was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary and resuscitation attempts were made but it was too late.

Doctors said marks on his face were consistent with submersion below a waterfall and his cause of death was drowning.

There are signs at the site telling people not to swim in the pool placed by the owners Harden & Bingley Park Ltd, which previously told the Telegraph & Argus they “do all they can” to make the beauty spot safe, but during summer it “feels like fighting a losing battle” telling people not to swim in the pool.

They also said access to the site cannot be restricted as public footpaths cut across the site.

Martin Fleming, concluding Mohammad’s death as an accident, said: “He was a much loved son and brother and will be missed by all.

“He died an accidental death. Good weather is a draw for people of all ages to bathe or swim in outdoor water, but despite hot temperatures the water remains cold and with currents it is a treacherous and dangerous mix for bathers, and for the people who try to help.

“This has left a family grieving a life lost and the many more years they should have spent together.”

Mr Fleming added he will write to the owners to ask for improvements to signage at the site.

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