Teen's river death remains under investigation

The cause of death for a 14-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulties in the River Thames near Oxford remains under investigation, an inquest has heard.

Baltazar Cabral Lay Da Costa, who was born in Timor-Leste and lived in Stanford in the Vale in Oxfordshire, was among at least 11 people who died in water-related incidents during the heatwave across the country at the end of May.

Thames Valley Police were called to the River Thames near Donnington Bridge at about 17:30 BST on 27 May. The force previously said Baltazar's death was "unexplained but not suspicious".

An inquest into his death was opened at Oxford Coroner's Court on Wednesday by senior coroner Darren Salter.

The inquest opening heard that Baltazar died in a tributary of the River Thames near Donnington Bridge.

It was reported that he got into difficulty while swimming with friends during the half term holiday.

The coroner said the cause of death is likely to be drowning but further tests were being undertaken.

The inquest was adjourned until 21 September.

Speaking to the BBC after Baltazar's death, a member of the Oxford Timorese Community Association said it was a "heartbreaking time".

"This has been a very painful moment, not only for the family, but also for the Timorese community in Oxford and across the United Kingdom," they said.

"This tragedy is very sad and is shocking to most parents - not only within the East Timor community."

In the days after his death, people gathered to light candles in memory of the teenager.

Rev Clare Hayns said it was important to provide a space for the community to grieve together.

"It's very little in some ways, but it's something we can do for Baltazar's family and friends," she said.

His death came after a number of other young people died in water-related incidents including Lincoln, Halifax, Rotherham, Warwickshire, Cheshire, Farnborough and Lancashire, along with a man in his 60s in Cornwall and a woman in her 70s in Wales.

Their deaths sparked a warning about cold water shock from The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS).

Previously, the area near Donnington Bridge was the focus of a water safety campaign by Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and RLSS.

In 2012, 15-year-old Mohammed Hussain died after jumping from the bridge into the river.

Aown Dogar, 13, drowned at the site in 2015 after playing in waist-deep water but being taken out of his depth by a ledge.