Boy on school trip 'went for paddle and drowned'

An inquest into the circumstances of the death of the 16-year-old has been opened

A schoolboy who "went for a paddle" on an end-of-term trip is believed to have drowned, an inquest has heard.

Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard that Abuzr Mirza of Burnley in Lancashire, lost his life in Windermere in the Lake District on 25 July, just four days after his 16th birthday.

During the opening of the inquest on Tuesday, Coroner Robert Cohen said the teenager got into difficulties after taking off his socks and shoes and going in the water.

Abuzr, a pupil at Darul Uloom Dawatul Imaan in Bradford, had earlier been to Brockhole on Windermere visitor centre, the hearing heard.

"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,” Mr Cohen said.

The coroner said that Cumbria Police was investigating the circumstances of the death and suspended the hearing pending the outcome of the inquiry.

'Warm and kind'

A statement was submitted by the teenager's father, Osman Beg, confirming the identity of his son.

Mr Cohen offered the court’s "profound sympathy and condolences" to the family and friends of the teenager.

A spokesman for Abuzr's school said: "Abuzr was a lovely pupil who touched the lives of many with his warmth and kindness."

In a Facebook tribute, his father said: "He was and still is a perfect son."