A teenager from Oxford died in the River Thames after attempting to rescue companions who had encountered difficulties in the water.
The incident occurred in proximity to Donnington Bridge and prompted an extensive emergency services response, with numerous fire crews and ambulances deployed to the scene on May 27, 2026.
Proceedings at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Monday, September 21, established that the deceased, Baltazar Cabral Lay Da Costa, aged 14, had been engaged in recreational activities with six companions in the river from approximately 3pm.
The timing coincided with the initial heatwave of the year, during which temperatures in Oxfordshire exceeded 33 degrees Celsius.
The group of seven children, whose identities remain protected, were initially playing in a shallow section of the river while engaged with a ball.
One participant recounted that the river featured distinct shallow and deeper zones, with no cautionary signage indicating the change in depth.
During the course of play, the ball was unintentionally struck into the deeper area at around 5pm.
Two members of the group entered the water to retrieve the ball and subsequently found themselves struggling in the deeper section.
A second participant described how Baltazar attempted to assist them but himself became distressed and submerged beneath the surface.
The teenager lacked swimming ability and had previously been relying on a buoyancy aid for flotation while in the river.
At the time he experienced difficulty, Baltazar was gripping the hand of one companion with whom he had been acquainted for a minimum of two years.
That individual reported that Baltazar released his grip, at which point bystanders intervened to provide assistance.
A further member of the group had followed Baltazar into the water to aid their friends.
With four individuals experiencing distress in the water, a couple who had been seated nearby became aware of the emergency.
Jaydan Lockyer testified that two men aged approximately mid-thirty approached him at around 5pm and inquired whether he could assist, drawing his attention to the children in difficulty.
In a statement presented by Coroner Nicholas Graham, Mr Lockyer explained that he initially believed the men were engaged in horseplay before comprehending the genuine nature of their alert.
The men were subsequently identified as originating from East Timor, a connection noted by Mr Lockyer through his familiarity with individuals from that nation and his recognition of their language.
Baltazar himself had been born in Timor-Leste in March 2012, and interpretation services were arranged for his family throughout the court proceedings.
The men from East Timor drew Mr Lockyer’s attention to the children who were drowning.
Mr Lockyer indicated that he initially suspected the situation was a prank before entering the water and extracting three children to safety.
Upon returning to a position where he could stand, one of the girls informed him that another individual remained in the water.
His examination of the surface revealed no visible presence of additional children.
He noted that the water exhibited considerable darkness and extremely limited visibility.
Despite considering himself a proficient swimmer, he found the conditions profoundly disorienting.
Mr Lockyer’s partner Sabrine Houali observed another child briefly emerge above the surface before submerging once more.
Mr Lockyer described the experience as equivalent to swimming while weighted at the ankles.
Emergency services received notification at approximately 5.15pm.
Baltazar was extracted from the river with cardiopulmonary resuscitation administered until around 7pm.
He was pronounced deceased later that day, with the cause identified as cardiac arrest precipitated by drowning.
The coroner has concluded that the death was accidental.
The court heard that Baltazar lacked swimming capability and attempted to support his companions.
He became submerged and drowned.
Recovery from the water occurred at 6pm, and despite the application of emergency resuscitation techniques, his death was confirmed at the location.
The coroner extended expressions of sympathy to the bereaved family.
The May heatwave resulted in at least 19 confirmed fatalities, including 13 children, with additional deaths occurring as unprecedented temperatures persisted throughout the summer months.
The spate of incidents prompted warnings from multiple emergency service organisations regarding the hazards of swimming in open water.