A heartbreaking inquest reveals the desperate attempts to save a teenager who drowned. The tragedy highlights the need for better swimming education and safety measures in local waters.
Wigan: A tragic incident unfolded when a 15-year-old boy drowned in a lake. Alex Crook was with friends at Scotsman’s Flash on September 7, 2024, when things went wrong.
He jumped into the water, which started shallow but quickly got deep. Alex couldn’t swim and began to panic. His friends tried to help, but it was too late.
After five minutes, he went under and didn’t resurface. A passerby jumped in to help and pulled him out, but it was a desperate situation.
Swimming is banned at Scotsman’s Flash, but many ignore the rules. There are no signs warning people about the dangers, which is concerning.
Detective Inspector Anthony Glinwood mentioned that the no-swimming policy is often overlooked. He pointed out the lack of safety equipment and warnings about open water swimming.
Alex’s dad, Neil, shared that his son never really learned to swim. He had taken him for lessons when he was younger, but it didn’t stick.
Unfortunately, Alex’s school didn’t follow up with swimming lessons, even though they’re part of the national curriculum. Now, three schools in Wigan still don’t offer them.
Witness Dan Gilboa saw Alex’s friends in distress and jumped in to help. He faced sharp rocks and a steep drop, making it tough to navigate the water.
Meanwhile, Nathan Scarll, who was nearby, heard the commotion. He quickly grabbed a first aid kit and raced over in a boat.
After some frantic moments, they found Alex, but he was unconscious. They performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but sadly, he was pronounced dead later.
Now, Alex’s family is pushing for change. Wigan council plans to install safety equipment and better signs about swimming dangers.
The coroner emphasized the importance of swimming lessons in schools. He even suggested that headteachers should be held accountable if they don’t provide them.
In the end, the coroner ruled it an accidental drowning. He plans to urge the council to improve safety measures around Scotsman’s Flash.
