A 19-year-old man has died after drowning in a lake in Nottinghamshire, England, while spending time with friends during the recent heatwave.
The victim, identified as Panashe Muchenje from Nottingham, was visiting Balderton Lake near Newark with two friends on May 28 when the tragic incident occurred.
According to reports, Panashe entered the water but later encountered difficulties. Emergency services responded to the scene, and he was pulled from the lake before receiving treatment from paramedics.
He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he later passed away.
Following the incident, video footage recorded at the scene began circulating widely on social media, prompting the teenager’s family to call for its immediate removal. The family has also urged the public to refrain from speculation surrounding the circumstances of his death, describing such discussions as deeply distressing during their time of grief.
Authorities have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. Nottinghamshire Police stated that a file is being prepared for the coroner, and no criminal investigation is currently underway.
Local councillor Johno Lee expressed concern over the circulation of the footage online, describing it as inappropriate and insensitive to the grieving family.
“A family has suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one,” Lee said. “The possibility of relatives encountering footage of those final moments on social media is extremely upsetting.”
He called on social media platforms to act swiftly in removing the content and urged members of the public not to share the video.
Lee also encouraged anyone with concerns regarding the incident to report them through the appropriate channels, stressing the importance of allowing authorities to establish the facts.
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Inspector Clive Collings offered condolences to the family and highlighted the dangers associated with open water, especially during periods of hot weather.
“This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the young man’s family,” he said. “While many people seek relief from high temperatures by visiting lakes and rivers, open water can be extremely dangerous due to hidden hazards beneath the surface.”
The incident has renewed calls for greater awareness of water safety as temperatures continue to rise across the United Kingdom.
