Teen drowned trying to help child, inquest told
FacebookA teenager drowned while trying to save a child who had got into difficulty while playing in a river, an inquest has been told.
Nischay Patel, 14, went underwater and did not resurface while swimming in the River Waveney at Beccles Quay, near Fen Lane, on the Suffolk and Norfolk border, on the 3 July 2025.
Nigel Parsley, a senior coroner at Suffolk Coroner's Court, said Nischay was "not a strong swimmer", but despite this he had tried to help another child who was in difficulty.
Parsley concluded Nischay's death was an accident and he commended members of the public who attempted to save the 14-year-old.
He added the incident highlighted "the dangers of swimming in open water".
Shaun Whitmore/BBCSuffolk Coroner's Court heard Nischay was playing with other children after school in the river when a boy appeared to be in trouble in the water.
"Despite not being a strong swimmer he immediately went to their aid," said the coroner.
PC Thomas Howarth, from Suffolk Police, said he arrived in the area at 19:45 BST and could see members of the public along the river path searching for Nischay.
He said he saw a "strong current in the water" and met the boy Nischay had tried to help.
PC William Hudson said he was asked to assist in the search but when he arrived the fire service had located Nischay's body and had brought him to shore.
A post-mortem examination confirmed Nischay had died by drowning.
The teenager was in Year Nine at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles, Suffolk.
Since Nischay's death further signage has been put up warning of the dangers of swimming in the river.
Shaun Whitmore/BBCFollow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
