Inquest into 14-year-old Baltazar’s Oxford river death set for September

HomeCourtInquest into 14-year-old Baltazar's Oxford river death set for September

Inquest into 14-year-old Baltazar’s Oxford river death set for September

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A judicial review into the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenager is scheduled to commence later this month.

The 14-year-old succumbed to injuries after experiencing problems while in the River Thames during the summer period.

Baltazar Cabral Lay Da Costa, who also went by the name Baltazar L’Quy, passed away following a water incident in the vicinity of Donnington Bridge, Oxford on May 27.

The formal hearing is set to occur at Oxford Coroners’ Court on September 21, presided over by coroner Nicholas Graham.

During the initial court session on June 10, officials indicated that inquiries into the circumstances of the teenager’s death remained active and that a specific cause had not yet been established.

Senior coroner for Oxfordshire Darren Michael Salter stated at that time that reports indicated the individual encountered problems whilst swimming alongside companions.

The precise cause of death continued to be examined as part of the ongoing inquiry.

The teenager became the eleventh individual to lose their life in a drowning incident across the United Kingdom during the period of elevated temperatures.

Born on March 17, 2012, in Timor-Leste, the young person had been residing in Stanford in the Vale.

His father, Pedro Goncalves, was employed in hospitality as a hotel porter.

His mother, Manuela da Costa, formally identified his remains at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Following the tragedy, the bereaved mother utilized the network provided by the Oxford Timorese Community Association to implore other guardians to discuss the hazards associated with swimming in exposed waterways with their offspring.

A representative of the organization stated that the mother expressed how this had befallen her own family and that it was both distressing and sudden.

She wished to use her experience to caution other parents about ensuring their children understood the importance of avoiding unauthorised bodies of water and always being accompanied by an adult when near water.

The grieving mother also publicly expressed her devastation through social media platforms, posting photographs of her son alongside the message that their hearts were shattered.

Members of the public who witnessed the incident came forward to describe their efforts to assist.

One individual stated that deepest sympathies were extended to the family during this unimaginable period.

The witness confirmed their presence at the scene that evening and emphasised that the boy was not isolated at the end, with several bystanders making every conceivable effort to locate and assist him, remaining with him throughout.

The witness added that thoughts were with the family and that strength and support were being sent their way, concluding with a wish for the young person to rest peacefully.

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