Inquest opened into death of 16-year-old on shores of Lake Windermere
He was on a school visit to Brockhole on Windermere visitor centre
Last updated 13th Aug 2024
An inquest has been formally opened into the death of a schoolboy who is believed to have drowned while on an end-of-term trip to Windermere.
Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard this morning (Tuesday) that Abuzr Mirza lost his life on 25th July this year, just four days after his 16th birthday.
Abuzr, of Burnley, Lancashire, had attended the Brockhole on Windermere visitor centre, on the north east shore of England’s largest lake, while on a school visit.
Robert Cohen, the coroner for Cumbria said;
“In the course of that trip he took shoes and socks off to enter the lake to paddle, and got into difficulty and appears to have drowned in the course of that activity”.
The coroner added:
“I have been made aware by Cumbria police that they are conducting further inquiries into the circumstances of Mr Mirza’s death. In those circumstances it is appropriate that I should suspend further investigation by the coroners’ service pending the outcome of the enquiries of other agencies.”
The inquest was formally suspended.
A signed and dated statement submitted by Mr’s Mirza’s father, Osman Beg, confirming the identity of his son, was formally admitted into evidence by the coroner.
Mr Cohen concluded the hearing by saying:
“I send to all of Mr Mirza’s family, friends and loved ones the court’s profound sympathy and condolences.”
A spokesman for the school Abuzr attended had said after his death:
“Abuzr was a lovely pupil who touched the lives of many with his warmth and kindness.”
In a Facebook tribute, the teen’s father had said: "He was and still is a perfect son, I wish everyone is blessed with a son like my son.”