An inquest has opened into the death of a 14-year-old boy who died after going missing while swimming at a lake during the recent heatwave. The teenager was identified as Samuel Murphy, from Camberley, Surrey, during the hearing at Winchester Coroner’s Court.
Hampshire Constabulary said that a “multi-agency operation” was launched to find Samuel, after he was reported missing at Hawley Lake, near Blackwater, at 3.28pm on May 26. This involved marine and drone units as well as the National Police Air Service, the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and divers from the Metropolitan Police, supported by the Army.
His body was found the following afternoon.
The short hearing was told that the cause of death had not yet been determined and further investigations were being carried out, according to a court officer.
The inquest was adjourned for a full hearing to be held on July 6, 2027.
A total of 17 people were reported to have suffered open-water deaths during the recent heatwave.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) issued a warning, saying it sees a “heightened risk of drowning when air temperatures are higher”.
Record-breaking temperatures were hit during the heatwave that battered southern areas of the country in late May.
As the country experienced the hottest May on record, the Met Office declared a sweltering 35.1C temperature was reached in Kew Gardens, London, on May 26.