Coroner rules on death of much-loved Poulton teen who drowned after suffering cold water shock in the Lakes

A 17-year-old boy described as ‘a truly beautiful soul’ drowned after suffering cold water shock while swimming with friends in a Lake District tarn, a coroner concluded.

Cricket-mad Absi Ahmed Mohammad from Poulton died at High Dam near Windermere on April 7.

The teen was with three friends when he got into difficulty trying to reach an island at the popular swimming spot, Cumbria Coroner's Court heard.

Concluding his death was a result of misadventure, senior coroner Kirsty Gomersal urged people to follow open water swimming advice in what had been a "tragic year" for deaths nationally.

Sitting in Workington, the coroner heard the four 17-year-old boys drove to High Dam at Finsthwaite on a "glorious" spring day.

A family representative told the inquest the four "very sensible" boys had planned their expedition and were "super excited" to go for a walk, with the swim a "reward" at the end.

The inquest heard after a two-hour ramble, they entered the tarn on its western shore and aimed to reach an island 150m away.

One boy quickly turned back as he was feeling dizzy, sick and cold, the inquest heard. Another got to the island and a third was nearly there when they heard Absi shouting "help".

The inquest heard the ‘much-loved’ Fylde Cricket Club member Absi was not a strong swimmer and was began "splashing and panicking" about halfway to the island.

The boy who was still in the water went to help but had to stop as Absi was grabbing at him and dragging him below the surface, the coroner heard.

Cold and exhausted, the boy returned to shore where he and his friend left to get a phone signal, finally getting through to 999 shortly after 12.30pm.

The coastguard, mountain rescue volunteers, police, firefighters and paramedics went to the scene with the support of a local farmer.

After a long search Absi, a Blackpool Sixth Form student, was recovered from the water and was declared dead shortly before 9pm the same evening.

Det Ch Insp Laura Nield, who led the Cumbria Police investigation, said it was a "tragic accident" caused by "cold water shock" and "drowning".

She said there was nothing more his friends could have done and there could have been more deaths if they had stayed in the water.

Though it was a warm day of about 21C, the water temperature was at most 11C.

Julie Wood, for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) which manages High Dam, said the authority installed signage and life-saving equipment at "key locations" where people could access the water, but it was "impossible" to put them "everywhere".

There was a sign at High Dam car park offering advice on "being safe and checking for dangers including cold water and knowing limits", the inquest heard.

The coroner was told the tarn had one emergency throw-line at its southern end, which would have been about a five minute walk for the boys to get to.

LDNPA ranger Steven Tatlock said there had always been a throw-line at the place most visitors reached first and usually swam from.

A safety review will be held, which would include Absi's family, and the installation of a second throw-line at the opposite side of the tarn would be considered, Mr Tatlock said.

Absi’s friends have raised more than £16,000 through a GoFundMe campaign with money from that fund going towards getting more warning signs and lifesaving equipment.

Absi’s brother Adil said: “My family doesn’t want another parent or family member to lose someone like this.

“We want to make sure that if someone gets into difficulty in the future – like Absi did – people there have more chance of saving them. His friend tried to save him but couldn’t.

“His friends said there wasn’t any lifebelts or other safety equipment. We want to do all we can to avoid people going through what we are.”

Absi was a member of Fylde Cricket Club in Poulton where he played junior cricket and earned his first senior cap in 2024.

On June 14 his friends at the club hosted Absi’s Memorial Match as a tribute to the youngster.

A club spokesperson said: “Everyone at Fylde Cricket Club would like to express our deepest condolences to our 3rd XI Captain, Adil, and his family, following the tragic loss of his brother Absi.

“Absi played junior cricket at the club and was proudly presented with senior cap number 205 in 2024 when he represented the 3rd XI.

“Our thoughts are with Absi’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. As a club, we stand beside you and send our heartfelt love, strength and support.

“You are part of our Fylde family, and we are here for you always.”

The coroner said the pain and loss felt by Absi's family was "unimaginable", while it had been a "tragic year for water safety" nationally.

She said it was likely Absi suffered "cold induced swim failure", before reiterating warnings from others about following open water swimming advice.

Open water swimming advice

Cold water shock is the body’s natural physical reaction to sudden immersion in cold water.

The National Fire Chiefs Council says it can lead to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. As the body tries to keep warm, muscles in the arms and legs begin to cool reducing a person’s ability to swim and stay afloat.

It can happen in water temperatures below 15°C with the average UK sea temperatures being just 12°C.

Advice from the coroner included not underestimating the difference between swimming in an indoor heated pool and cold open water.

Following submersion into cold water people are advise to float and try the following:

Tilt their head back with their ears submerged

Relax and try to breathe normally

Move their hands and feet to help them stay afloat

Not panic if their legs sink as everyone floats differently

Practise floating in a swimming pool