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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sam Cooper & Graeme Murray

Parents warned they 'must help' after boy tragically drowns at popular swimming spot

Mums and dads should make their kids aware of the dangers of open water in the wake of a teenage boy's drowning, say council chiefs.

They will step up patrols at the scene of Kai Gardner-Pugh's death after he got into difficulty while swimming there.

The 14-year-old, who was described as "the brightest star in the sky" drowned in Ashby Ville pond, Scunthorpe last July.

GrimsbyLive reports the teenager was playing at the nature reserve last summer when the tragedy happened.

St Bede's Catholic Academy in Scunthorpe then described him as a highly intelligent model pupil.

Headteacher Ryan Hibbard said: "The school community is shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of one of our pupils, Kai Gardner-Pugh, he was 14 years old.

Ashby Ville Nature Reserve, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire where Kai drowned (Submitted Picture)

"Kai was a hard-working, humble, unassuming, and very intelligent young man with a close friendship group - a model pupil.

"He will be greatly missed and always remembered with affection."

Sunflowers and poems were left at the scene in memory of Kai with tributes calling him "the brightest star in the sky."

North Lincolnshire Council says it will work with police and the fire service to carry out patrols at Ashby Ville pond after reports of youngsters in the water despite campaigns stressing the dangers.

Emergency services at the scene of Ashby Ville Nature Reserve (Grimsby Live/Donna Clifford)

Restrictions will also be introduced where there is easy access to parts of the pond with new planting alongside the banning of inflatables at the site for the general public.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of the authority, said: “Some young people are still risking their lives swimming in open water such as Ashby Ville pond.

"We are determined to work with schools, colleges and the Youth Council to produce a campaign to really drive home the dangers these waters pose.

Sunflowers were left at the pond following the Kai's death (Grimsby Live/Donna Clifford)

"We will be asking young people themselves to be at the heart of this.

“The successful joint patrols warning of the dangers with the police and fire will also be stepped up. If this is ignored people will be hit with a £150 fine.

“We will also be looking at ways to make the site less accessible to young people and ban inflatables on Ashby Ville.

“Parents must also help – don’t let children in the water and please stress the very real risks of getting into open water.”

Council chiefs say they will increase patrols of the area and restrict easy access to the pond (GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford)

The Mirror reported last July how a huge search effort was launched to find the youngster after he got into difficulty while playing at the nature reserve.

Police then issued a statement confirming his identity.

A spokesman from Humberside Police said: "The 14 year-old boy who sadly lost his life at Ashby Ville Nature Reserve in North Lincolnshire has been named as Kai Gardner-Pugh.

"Kai’s family continue to be supported by specially trained officers and our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this very sad time. Kai’s family have asked for privacy as they grieve and come to terms with their loss."

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