Hackney Marshes: 12-year-old boy dies in River Lea

A 12-year-old boy has died after entering the River Lea near Hackney Marshes in northeast London. Emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and London Ambulance Service, were called to the scene at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15.

Following an extensive search involving police divers and specialist fire rescue units, the boy's body was recovered shortly after midnight on Sunday, August 16. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbetts described the incident as a “devastating loss for our community” and requested that the public respect the family's privacy. Detective Inspector Azmeen Pinnu stated that the death is being treated as unexpected and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances leading up to the boy entering the water. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation and the sharing of related images on social media.