Teenager's canal death 'probably cold water shock'

A teenage schoolboy died from suspected cold water shock after jumping into a canal, an inquest has concluded.

Delvin Musakwa, 13, from Exeter, Devon, was pronounced dead at hospital on 5 May 2025 after he leapt off a small bridge into a canal at Clapperbrook Lane in the city while with two other boys and did not resurface.

During the hearing, pathologist Dr Deborah Cook said the teenager was "fit and healthy", had no external injuries and died from drowning.

Senior Devon coroner Philip Spinney, who recorded a conclusion of accidental death probably caused by cold water shock, praised members of the public who "bravely and selflessly" jumped in to try and rescue the boy.

The hearing was told Delvin spent about 25 minutes below the surface of the water.

Dr Cook said: "Sudden entry into cold water causes a reflux gasping process under water and the cold water hits the back of the throat and leads to rapid unconsciousness and can trigger drowning."

Det Sgt Richard Jones, from Devon and Cornwall Police, told the inquest he had viewed mobile phone footage of the incident and said: "Delvin jumped into the canal of his own volition with two friends... [it] was a tragic accident."

The hearing was told the two unnamed teenage boys he was with during the incident told police it was a hot day and they had arranged to meet to play football and go for a swim by jumping off the small bridge into the 3m-deep (9.8ft) canal despite warning signs next to the bridge telling people not to swim.

One boy jumped in and surfaced, but Delvin, saying: "I can do this," went in next but did not come straight back up.

One of them jumped back in and spent several minutes trying to help Delvin before members of the public heard the panic and leapt in to help, the inquest heard.

He said Delvin was pulling him under as he tried to save him.

Neil Baker was with his family and saw the boys "laughing and joking together" before there was "hysterical shouting".

"I got in the water and it was very deep and very cold. I dived down to find Delvin. It was zero visibility," he said.

Katie Finch had been paddleboarding and dove in and heard a "faint call" in the murky water but her life jacket impeded search attempts, the inquest heard.

John Kelly spent 16 minutes in the water, along with other members of the public, and they used fire brigade lifelines and long poles to try and locate Delvin.

Two men in the canal located him and he was dragged out and given CPR before he was rushed to hospital, where he died.

Speaking at the inquest, his mother Cecilia Chipiri said her son had weekly swimming lessons and "was never out of his depth and aware of his limits in the water".

Chipiri said his death turned her "life upside down" and left her devastated.

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