A 15-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in a lake in south-east London has been named by police.
Izaiah Smith, whose body was recovered from the lake on Friday night, was named by the Metropolitan police on Sunday. Officers said that though his death was unexpected, it was not believed to be suspicious.
Officers and paramedics were called to Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham shortly after 3pm on Friday. Specialist diving teams, ambulance crews and firefighters carried out a search for the teenager, stopping when Izaiah was found on Friday night, Scotland Yard said on Saturday.
“A boy was recovered from the lake at around 10.42pm on Friday 4 April,” a Met spokesperson said.
“He was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead. His death is being treated as unexpected but not believed to be suspicious.”
Izaiah’s family have been made aware and are being supported, the force said.
On Saturday, the SEDA Football Academy said the teenager was a much-loved under-16s player. In a tribute shared on Instagram, the club said it was “mourning the loss” of a kind and considerate young person.
“Izaiah was such a bright light within our programme,” the post said. “Always present at training, he greeted everyone with the most adorable smile. His huge character and infectious energy will be deeply missed by us all.”
In a statement, Lewisham council, which manages the park, said the space was re-opened on Saturday, though the lake would remain closed with security in place until further notice.
“We are working closely with the police in order that their investigation establishes the full facts of what’s happened,” it added.
