Boy, 16, dies at Lincoln lake in second tragedy in seven weeks
A 16-year-old boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln on Thursday evening, Lincolnshire Police said. Emergency crews recovered him and he initially responded to treatment, but he died in hospital shortly before 21:00 BST. It is the second drowning at the site in seven weeks.
Key Takeaways
- A 16-year-old boy died at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln on Thursday, 9 July 2026, after getting into difficulty in the water.
- Police, fire and ambulance crews recovered him around 17:50 BST; he died in hospital despite initially responding to treatment.
- It follows the death of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer at the same nature reserve on 24 May.
- City of Lincoln Council is set to consider a pilot safety warden scheme at a meeting on 14 July.
- Lincolnshire Police have renewed warnings about the dangers of entering open water.
What happened at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln?
Lincolnshire Police were called to Swanholme Lakes nature reserve at about 17:50 BST on Thursday following reports that a 16-year-old boy had got into trouble in the water. Officers from Lincolnshire Police, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and East Midlands Ambulance Service were deployed to the scene.
The boy was recovered from the water and treated at the scene. He was then taken to hospital, where he died shortly before 21:00 BST, according to BBC News. Lincolnshire Live reported that he died at 8.50pm and that his parents were with him at the hospital.
Police said he initially responded to treatment but sadly did not survive despite the efforts of emergency services and hospital staff. A file will be passed to the coroner, and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
Why is this the second tragedy at the same Lincoln lake in seven weeks?
The death comes just seven weeks after 15-year-old Declan Sawyer died after getting into difficulty at Swanholme Lakes on 24 May. An inquest into Declan Sawyer's death found he died from drowning, according to the BBC.
Swanholme Lakes, part of Hartsholme Park on Doddington Road, is a popular nature reserve. Metro.co.uk reported that the site has seen two drownings in weeks as people seek to cool off during warm weather.
Since Declan Sawyer's death, there have been calls for more rangers in Lincoln's parks. Independent Hartsholme ward councillor Biff Bean has called for an increase in ranger services across the city's open spaces.
What safety measures are Lincoln officials considering?
City of Lincoln Council said new safety measures will be considered at an executive committee meeting on 14 July. Proposals include a trial for a patrolling safety warden scheme and closer partnership working on water safety.
The authority previously said it operates a park ranger service covering Hartsholme and Swanholme Lakes. It also noted that open water will always carry risks that no single measure can remove.
Leaders have made fresh calls for people not to enter open water at the reserve. For more breaking community alerts, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage hub.
What have Lincolnshire Police said about open-water dangers?
In a statement, Lincolnshire Police said their thoughts are with the boy's family and friends. They added that tragic news will be difficult for the community to process and encouraged anyone affected to seek support.
Police have reminded the public of the dangers of swimming in lakes and open water. They warned that conditions beneath the surface can be unpredictable and potentially life-threatening.
Lincolnshire Police also asked that the family's privacy be respected at this time. Further updates are expected once the coroner receives the file.