A boy who drowned last week has been named as a 16-year-old with strong Bradford links.
The body of a boy was recovered from Lake Windermere, Cumbria, at about 1145pm on Wednesday, July 24, after searches began for the boy at 5pm.
Now, the boy’s father has announced his death on Facebook.
Osman Beg, from Burnley, posted to say his son Abuzr Mirza, who is believed to have gone to school in Bradford, had died just a few days after his 16th birthday.
He said Abuzr had been on a trip to the Lake District when the tragedy unfolded.
Mr Beg said: “He was and still is a perfect son I wish everyone is blessed with a son like my son. Just perfect in every way.”
Mr Beg also said his son, who he described as a “diamond” had drowned while helping two other people who were in difficulty in the water, though this report is unconfirmed.
Mr Beg added: “Keep your children close and always support them in what they want to do.”
A JustGiving page was set up to raise money to build a water well in Uganda in Abuzr’s memory, which has raised almost £1,500 of its £2,000 target.
The page said Abuzr had died while performing a cleansing ritual in the lake, though again this is unconfirmed.
Money raised will pay for a water well to provide hundreds of people with clean drinking water in Uganda for at least a decade.
Burnley MP, Oliver Ryan, said to Mr Beg: “I'm so very sorry for your loss.
“He sounds like an outstanding and brave young man. Sending you and your family my best wishes at this difficult time for you, I'll be sure to say a prayer for him. If there's anything you need, do let me know.”
Abuzr’s funeral took place at the Masjid Farooq E Azam in Burnley, and was buried at Burnley Cemetery.
A spokesperson for the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “On the evening of Wednesday 24 July a boy who had been at our visitor centre, Brockhole on Windermere, entered the lake and tragically lost his life. We are shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Last week, Cumbria Police and the Health and Safety Executive said they were investigating his death, while the Lake District National Park Authority said it was “shocked and saddened” by the “tragic” death.
The Furness Coastguard, which assisted in the search, said: “With the weather getting warmer we would like to advise everyone to be aware of their surroundings and the depth of water they are in and to be vigilant over other people around them.
“Just because the air temperature is warm it doesn’t mean the water is too, take time to become accustomed to the water temperature to help prevent cold water shock.”
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