Mother’s warning after boy, 14, found in River Thames in 12th heatwave death

Baltazar L'Quy , 14, whose body found in the River Thames and is the 11th person to drown during heatwave

The body of a 14-year-old boy has been found in the River Thames.

The teenager was named as Baltazar L’Quy, the ninth young person to die swimming in this Bank holiday heatwave.

His grieving mother issued a plea to teenagers to be accompanied by an adult if they decide to go swimming.

‘This has been a very painful moment, not only for the family, but also for the Timorese community, in Oxford and across the United Kingdom,’ a Timor representative said.

‘This tragedy is very sad and is shocking to most parents – not only within the East Timor community.’

The community member said they had spoken directly with L’Quy’s family.

‘The mum was actually saying that this is happening to them, and it’s shocking and it’s very sudden,’ they said.

‘But she would like to remind all the other parents, to remind the children when they’re out there – don’t just go into any water and to always make sure that they go with an adult.’

His mother has posted pictures of her son with angel wings, calling Baltazar ‘her love’.

Emergency services were called to an area of the river near Donnington Bridge, Oxford, at around 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The body of a 14-year-old boy has been recovered from the River Thames making him the 11th person to die in water-related incidents during the recent heatwave. Police, fire and ambulance services were called to the River Thames near Donnington Bridge, Oxford, at around 5.30pm on Wednesday. Thames Valley Police confirmed that the boy?s family have been informed and his death was being treated as ?unexplained but not suspicious?. It comes after a number of similar deaths resulting from open water swimming during a record-breaking heatwave, which saw temperatures climb to 35.1C in Kew Gardens, west London, on Tuesday.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the boy’s family had been informed (Picture: Google Maps)
Thames Valley Police said the boy’s death was being treated as ‘unexplained but not suspicious’ and that his family had been informed.

This marks the 12th water-related death since the UK was plunged into a record-breaking heatwave late last week.

Declan Sawyer, 15, was the first teenager to be found dead when his body was recovered from Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln on Sunday.

That same day, a 72-year-old woman was pulled from the water at West Angle Bay beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Abbie Carmody-Pepper, 15, was pulled from the water at Burrow Beach in County Dublin.

On Bank Holiday Monday, a boy, named locally as 13-year-old Reco Puttock, died after being pulled from the Leadbeater Dam in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Lillianna Tomlinson, believed to be 16, was pulled from the water in Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire.

A tribute to 15-year-old Declan Sawyer from his father Carl. Declan tragically lost his life at Swanholme Lakes. "Our darling boy Declan was a funny and outgoing young man who loved his fishing and his football. He had a very cheeky smile and the personality to match. He was very much loved by his friends and family, and will be missed dearly by many. "With his tragic and unexpected passing on Sunday 24th May at Swanholme Lakes, we would like to raise awareness about children playing near any rivers or lakes in the hot weather. Please can all parents, friends and family make their children aware of the dangers surrounding water. "As a family we would like to have some privacy at this very sad and upsetting time to process our loss. Many thanks." Our thoughts are with Declan's family and we wish to reiterate to the media to respect the privacy of Declan's family. Our specially trained officers continue to support them.
Declan Sawyer became the first teenager to die in a water-related incident on Sunday (Picture: Lincolnshire Police)
A teenage boy was also pulled from a lake in Rother Valley Country Park in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Phil Crow, 68, suffered a cardiac arrest while trying to save his wife and granddaughter after they were swept out to sea in Cornwall.

The youngest victim was 12-year-old Junior Slater, whose body was pulled from the River Ribble on Tuesday after he ‘got into difficulty’ in the water.

Junior Slater, 12, vanished while swimming with friends in the River Ribble, in Lancashire, yesterday afternoon. Emergency crews, including underwater search units, were scrambled to the river near Ribchester just after 2pm. Junior’s body was sadly pulled from the water several hours later, Ribble Valley Police confirmed. Issuing a statement through the force, Junior’s heartbroken family hailed him as the “soul of our lives”.
Junior Slater, 12, vanished while swimming with friends in the River Ribble, in Lancashire

A major emergency services operation is underway in Kent after a well-known local boxer was reported missing after entering the water near Northfleet. Kent Police were called at around 2.51pm on Wednesday 27 May 2026 following concerns for a person in the Galley Hill Road area of Swanscombe. Officers remain at the scene alongside multiple emergency service agencies as an extensive search operation continues. The response has involved: Kent Police specialist water rescue teams thermal drone operators volunteers from Kent Search and Rescue The HART team from South East Coast Ambulance Service Police cordons have been put in place around the area while emergency crews continue searching the water and the surrounding shoreline. Family members of the missing man have reportedly been advised to remain at home while officers continue enquiries and rescue efforts. Community Concern Grows Local residents described seeing a significant emergency services presence throughout the afternoon and evening, including rescue boats, emergency vehicles and drone teams operating over the water. A man at the scene, who asked not to be named, said the missing person was believed to be a member of the local boxing gym and was very known within the local community. He added: ???I just wish young people would listen to the warnings about the dangers of going into the water.??? The incident has sparked widespread concern locally as emergency services continue their search efforts. Ongoing Emergency Operation At this stage, police have not released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. Search operations remain ongoing, and members of the public are being urged to avoid the area while emergency crews work at the scene. Further updates are expected from Kent Police as the incident develops.
A major emergency services operation is underway in Kent after a well-known local boxer was reported missing after entering the water near Northfleet. (Picture: UKNIP)

A hero grandfather died trying to save his nine-year-old granddaughter after she was pulled out to sea at a Cornish beach. Phil Crow, 68, lost his life as he bravely entered the water at Tregirls Beach near Padstow, to try to rescue Sia Briskham after a sudden change in the tide on Bank Holiday Monday. His wife of 50 years Tina, 68, was also pulled out to sea and had to be rescued by a passing boat before being checked by a paramedic. Mr Crow suffered a 'cardiac arrest in the sea' while bravely trying to rescue them on the bank holiday afternoon. He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Tina and Sia were brought to safety by members of the public.
Phil Crow, 68, died trying to save his wife and granddaughter after they were pulled out to sea (Picture: Supplied)
On Wednesday, Cheshire Police found a body in Pickmere Lake while searching for a 17-year-old boy who went missing while swimming.

The body of another teenage boy was also recovered at Hawley Lake near Farnborough.

It comes as the UK record-breaking heatwave looks to be coming to a watery end with storms breaking out across the country.

In Kent, a young boxer was mourned after being found in a lake Swanscombe on Thursday.

A major emergency services operation is underway in Kent after a well-known local boxer was reported missing after entering the water near Northfleet. Kent Police were called at around 2.51pm on Wednesday 27 May 2026 following concerns for a person in the Galley Hill Road area of Swanscombe. Officers remain at the scene alongside multiple emergency service agencies as an extensive search operation continues. The response has involved: Kent Police specialist water rescue teams thermal drone operators volunteers from Kent Search and Rescue The HART team from South East Coast Ambulance Service Police cordons have been put in place around the area while emergency crews continue searching the water and the surrounding shoreline. Family members of the missing man have reportedly been advised to remain at home while officers continue enquiries and rescue efforts. Community Concern Grows Local residents described seeing a significant emergency services presence throughout the afternoon and evening, including rescue boats, emergency vehicles and drone teams operating over the water. A man at the scene, who asked not to be named, said the missing person was believed to be a member of the local boxing gym and was very known within the local community. He added: ???I just wish young people would listen to the warnings about the dangers of going into the water.??? The incident has sparked widespread concern locally as emergency services continue their search efforts. Ongoing Emergency Operation At this stage, police have not released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. Search operations remain ongoing, and members of the public are being urged to avoid the area while emergency crews work at the scene. Further updates are expected from Kent Police as the incident develops.
A major emergency services operation is underway in Kent (Picture UKNIP)
His amateur boxing club, Leo’s Lions, said they were heartbroken by the youth’s death.

‘During this difficult time, we will do our very best to support and look after all of our members, especially the young people who may be struggling to process what has happened.

‘Please check in with your children, speak openly with them and reassure them that support is available.’

Tuesday was the hottest May day on record when Kew Gardens in London reached 35.1°C, smashing the previous record – set the day before – by a staggering two degrees.