Latest news with #NottinghamCollege
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
‘Well-loved' schoolboy, 16, who died after ‘getting into difficulty while swimming' at popular park is pictured
Valentine was found by rescue services at around 8pm LAKE TRAGEDY 'Well-loved' schoolboy, 16, who died after 'getting into difficulty while swimming' at popular park is pictured Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TEENAGER who tragically died after getting into difficulty while in a lake has been pictured for the first time as his family pay tribute. Valentine Ikechukwu died after struggling in the water at Colwick Country Park in Nottinghamshire on Wednesday afternoon. 2 Valentine Ikechukwu, a Nottingham College student Credit: PA 2 Colwick Country Park, Nottingham where the 16-year old boy was found Credit: SWNS The 16-year-old's family said touchingly: "He will remain in our hearts forever." Emergency services were called to Colwick Country Park at 5.20pm on Wednesday after the Nottingham College student got into difficulty. A multi-agency rescue operation was launched involving a police underwater search team, assisted by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. He was found at around 8pm and had sadly died "despite the tireless efforts of all the emergency services involved". In a statement, his family said: 'Valentine will remain in our hearts forever. He was a well-loved son and brother, and we are absolutely devastated as a family. 'Long live Valentine, forever 16. 'He was a Nottingham College student and was well-liked amongst his friends. Words cannot describe what we are going through right now. 'We would kindly request for privacy so that we can grieve as a family and try to come to terms with what has happened to our Valentine. "He will be forever missed.' Detective Inspector Gail Routledge said: 'Valentine's family are being supported by specially trained officers following this incident. 'This was a tragedy where a young boy has lost his life. Our thoughts remain with Valentine's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. 'While work continues to understand how Valentine came into difficulty, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the devastating consequences of entering open water – regardless of whether people do so deliberately or inadvertently.' Valentine's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the Coroner. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to ‘well-loved' teenager who died swimming in lake
The family of a 16-year-old college student who died after taking a swim in a lake have paid tribute to their 'well-loved son and brother'. Valentine Ikechukwu got into difficulty while swimming with friends at Colwick Country Park, Nottingham, on one of the hottest days of the year on Wednesday. Emergency services were called to the scene at 5.20pm after the teenager disappeared below the surface at the beauty spot. A police underwater search team assisted by fire crews launched a search for the student and his body was found at around 8pm. In a statement, his family said: 'Valentine will remain in our hearts forever. He was a well-loved son and brother, and we are absolutely devastated as a family. Long live Valentine, forever 16. 'He was a Nottingham College student and was well-liked amongst his friends. Words cannot describe what we are going through right now. 'We would kindly request for privacy so that we can grieve as a family and try to come to terms with what has happened to our Valentine. He will be forever missed.' Det Insp Gail Routledge, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'This was a tragedy where a young boy has lost his life. Our thoughts remain with Valentine's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. 'While work continues to understand how Valentine came into difficulty, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the devastating consequences of entering open water.' A file is being prepared for the coroner. Fire brigade bosses have also issued a warning about swimming in open water when the weather is warm. Group manager Tom Staples, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'On behalf of the service, and personally, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the boy's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. 'This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of open water. We urge everyone to take care around lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water. 'Safety information and guidance are available on our website, and we encourage the public to familiarise themselves with it to help prevent future tragedies.' Cllr Sam Lux, executive member for carbon reduction, leisure and culture at Nottingham city council, which manages the site, added: 'This is an absolutely tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the young person who has sadly died. 'We will be working with Notts Police and Notts Fire and Rescue Service to understand the full circumstances of what happened but we join with them in highlighting the extreme dangers that open water such as lakes, rivers, quarries or canals can present. 'As the current warm spell continues and as we approach the summer season we urge people to follow the guidance at Colwick park and other sites and not enter the water unless as part of properly supervised open water swimming sessions.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
