Parents' tribute to son's 'big smile' after lake death

The parents of a boy who died after entering the water at a lake in Leicestershire said they wanted him to be remembered for his "big smile".

Police were called to Meynell Lake, off Fosse Way in Syston, at 13:30 BST on Thursday to search for Hayden Jones-Powell, and police divers recovered the 13-year-old's body from the lake later that day.

In a statement, his parents Ben Jones-Powell and Emily Ambler said Hayden had a passion for football and a love of animals, and added: "We want him to be remembered by his big smile."

The family has launched a fundraiser, which aunt Charlotte Powell said was in order to give Hayden "a befitting send-off".

His parents said: "The world isn't the same without him.

"We want him to be remembered by his big smile. His love of animals, his passion towards football and being outside.

"Hayden also had an amazing sense of humour and was extremely quick-witted.

"We don't know how we will cope without him."

Hayden's aunt Charlotte Powell added the family were "extremely grateful for all the support" from the community.

She said: "The support has been immense, thank you."

Friends of Hayden are organising two balloon releases in his memory.

The first is due to take place at Central Park in Syston at about 12:30 on Saturday, with a second planned for the following Saturday in Mountsorrel.

A spokesperson for Wreake Valley Academy, in Syston - where Hayden was a pupil - said: "We are devastated by the loss of one of our students and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their family and friends.

"This tragic accident has deeply affected everyone at our school and we are providing support to students, staff, and families who need it.

"We kindly ask that the privacy of those affected is respected during this extremely difficult time."

A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said the boy's family were being supported by officers, and added: "There is no suggestion of any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner."

There have been a number of water-related deaths during recent hot weather spells, including that of a 12-year-old boy whose body was found in the River Ribble in Ribchester, Lancashire, and a 17-year-old boy who went missing at Pick Mere lake in Cheshire.

Young people have also died in Nottinghamshire, Kent, Oxford, Lincoln, Halifax, Rotherham, Warwickshire, Farnborough and Scotland, along with a man in his 60s in Cornwall and a woman in her 70s in Wales.

The unprecedented June heatwave is continuing, with a red extreme heat warning in force for central southern England and south-east England, with heat-related health dangers and problems for infrastructure continuing.

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