Vandals remove lifebuoys installed after teen died

A volunteer in a kayak rescued one of the buoys and brought it ashore

Rescue equipment installed following the death of a teenager who drowned in a river has been vandalised.

Lifebuoys were thrown into the water in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, close to the spot where Ronalds Abele, 17, died in May 2024.

His father Thomas Okyere said: "I'm so upset, I'm so annoyed and so angry and frustrated by this - it's not right."

One of the lifebuoys has been recovered by search and rescue volunteers.

The BBC has asked Northamptonshire Police if it is investigating.

Ronalds Abele was said to be a strong swimmer and took part in an impromptu river race with friends on a sunny day last May.

He began to struggle in the water and drowned despite the efforts of his friends.

His parents, concerned about the lack of safety measures along the river, started a campaign to improve awareness and provide life-preserving equipment.

The campaign has so far resulted in four water safety sessions being held in the area.

Tributes to Ronalds Abele have been left at the site

Two lifebuoys housed in red cabinets were also installed close to locks near the embankment.

On 1 March they were discovered to have been removed and thrown into the water.

Posting on social media, Mr Okyere said: "As a family, we're fighting really hard to make sure on the whole of the embankment, there is safety equipment.

"It's not helping when you find out that people are just vandalising it.

"This is here to save life, it's not here for people to play with. This needs to be stopped."

One of the buoys has been returned to its cabinet

Volunteers from the Northamptonshire Search and Rescue team succeeded in recovering one of the buoys and returning it to its cabinet on dry land.

A spokesperson for the team said: "These are not toys, they are not for fun, they are placed to be there when every second counts and a life needs to be saved."