Schoolboy, 13, dies after ‘jumping into canal to try and beat his fear of water’

A TEENAGER who couldn’t swim tragically died after jumping into a canal to try and overcome his fear of water, an inquest has heard.

Flavio Rafael Pizarro died in hospital nine days after his young body was pulled by rescue teams from the canal in Manchester.

The 13-year-old, known to friends and family as Rafael, had been out playing football with pals when they received a message from other friends inviting them to join them for a swim at Rochdale Canal in Middleton on June 5 this year.

Rochdale Coroners’ Court heard that Rafael and friend Benjamin Charlton then joined schoolmates Jasmine Lee and Megan Quinn at about 7pm on the day,  reports.

Despite not being able to swim, Rafael, who moved to the UK from Portugal with his family when he was 10 years old,  climbed down the ladder at the canal to test the temperature of the water.

He climbed back up before vowing to jump in at the same time as his classmates at St Anne’s Academy, also aged 13.

But after Rafael entered the water he began “panicking” and “gasping for breath”.

Det Sgt Timothy O’Callaghan told the court that Rafael was “flinging his arms around” and that the teen had spent at least 20 minutes underwater.

His friends tried to save him and called the emergency services, and two passing dog walkers also jumped in a bid to help the teenager.

But it was not until police and the fire service were able to open the lock at the canal, to release some water and reduce the depth, that Rafael’s body was recovered.

Tragically Rafael had suffered severe brain injuries and was put on life support, which he remained on until he sadly died in the early hours of June 14 this year.

His mother Maria, and father who lives in Angola, held a vigil at his bedside.

Maria told the court that despite being a sporty boy who enjoyed playing football and basketball, Rafael, the youngest of her five children, had never learned to swim.

She said: “My thoughts are that on that particular day he tried to overcome his fear of the water, because he was seeing his friends jumping into the water as well.”

His brother had previously warned him about going to the canal, where he had been before with friends.

Now his family is calling on Canal and River Trust to do more to warn young people of the dangers of jumping into water.

After the inquest, Rafael’s mum Maria said: “I lost my son. How many children have to die to be able to put some signage in place?”

Det Sgt O’Callaghan said he was told the Trust said it wouldn’t be “feasible” for signs to be erected over such a “vast area”.

He added that police officers visited nearby schools to warn of the dangers of water in the weeks after the incident.

Recording a verdict of misadventure and pledging to write to the Canal and River Trust, assistant coroner Julie Robertson said: “I’m not satisfied that enough has been done.”

Steve Astles, safety advisor at the Canal and River Trust said: “We’re deeply saddened about the tragic accident which happened in June where Rafael drowned in the Rochdale Canal and offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends.  We are aware now that this particular lock on the Rochdale Canal is a known hotspot for young people jumping in the canal during the summer.

“The Trust is working with the local community and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service on a targeted campaign to educate people about the dangers of playing and swimming in open water which will include installing signage at known hotspots along the canals in Greater Manchester.”

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