A teenage boy tragically lost his life after encountering difficulties while swimming in a river without fully understanding the risks involved, an inquest revealed.
Lotus Bowker, a 15-year-old with a Developmental Learning Disorder, ventured into the River Wyre near Garstang Cricket Club with friends despite lacking proper swimming skills, as he could only doggy paddle. His mother, Andromeda, described him as easily influenced and prone to imitating his peers due to his condition.
On the day of the incident, Lotus and his friends were heading to the river when his father, David, passed them in a car. David, assuming they were going to a different location to swim, later learned of their actual plan and expressed anger as he knew his son was not a proficient swimmer.
During the inquest at Preston Coroners’ Court, it was disclosed that the boys had consumed alcohol before entering the water, with Lotus having a minimal amount in his system. Upon entering the river, Lotus struggled and unintentionally pulled a friend underwater while panicking.
One of Lotus’s friends mentioned that he had expressed his intention to jump off a bridge earlier that day, despite acknowledging his limited swimming abilities from childhood lessons. The group entered the water near a pumping station where the depth was approximately two meters.
Passersby, including Shelby Quigley and Neil Quinn, rushed to help when they noticed Lotus in distress. Despite rescue efforts, Lotus was pronounced dead after being hospitalized with severe hypothermia and suffering multiple cardiac arrests.
Following the tragic incident, an investigation was conducted by United Utilities to assess safety measures at the site, which led to increased fencing and discussions with relevant agencies to enhance safety protocols.
Area Coroner Emma Mather concluded the inquiry as a misadventure, highlighting Lotus’s susceptibility to influence due to his developmental condition, which impacted his risk assessment abilities.