Inquest opens after teenager drowned in lake

Valentine Ikechukwu was a student at Nottingham College

An inquest has opened into the death of a 16-year-old boy who drowned after getting into difficulty in a lake in Nottinghamshire.

Valentine Ikechukwu's body was found by an underwater search team after he was reported missing at Colwick Country Park on 30 April.

The 16-year-old had been a business student at Nottingham College until he left earlier this year.

The opening of the inquest into his death was told Valentine's provisional cause of death had been given as drowning following a post-mortem examination.

Coroner Laurinda Bower, who opened the inquest held at Nottingham Coroner's Court on Tuesday, adjourned the case and said a date for the full inquest had not yet been set.

Police said Valentine's death was a "tragedy" following the discovery of his body

Ms Bower added: "I express my sincere condolences to all who knew Valentine."

Emergency services were called to the scene where the teenager went missing at 17:20 BST.

A police underwater search team and the fire service also responded, finding the boy's body just before 20:00.

Following the discovery, Valentine's family said they were "absolutely devastated", and described him as a "well-loved son and brother".

In a statement, they said: "Words cannot describe what we are going through right now. Valentine will remain in our hearts forever."

Nottingham College expressed deep shock at his death, adding: "[Valentine] was a popular student whilst with us, and we have extended our full wellbeing support to his former classmates who will be devastated to hear the news."