Warning after teenager's tragic death as inquest hears of desperate attempts to save him

A tragic teenager who drowned in a lake didn't have swimming lessons at school, despite it being part of the mandatory national curriculum, and inquest heard.

Alex Crook, 15, got into trouble at Scotsman's Flash in Wigan while visiting with friends on September 7, 2024. He was unable to swim, an inquest into his death at Bolton Coroners' Court heard.

Alex joined pals in the water, which was initially up to his waist. He soon found himself in a deeper area, unable to stand. He began to panic, before his friends attempted to help him.

As he became more distressed, he went under surface and wasn't seen for five minutes. The inquest heard his body was later pulled from the water by a member of the public who rushed to assist.

Swimming in Scotsman's Flash is prohibited, but people regularly enter the water, the court heard. There are no signs saying swimming is banned, the inquest was told.

"The flash itself has a no swimming policy," Detective Inspector Anthony Glinwood said. "Although, it is known that this is ignored by the public. There are no signs of the dangers of open water swimming or any life-saving equipment."

Alex's dad Neil Crook said his son never properly learned to swim. "I did take him when he was little for swimming lessons for a decent amount of time," he said. "It's just something he didn't take to, He didn't seem to have the coordination for it."

Mr Crook's attempts to teach his son weren't followed up by swimming lessons put on by Mab's Cross Primary School, where Alex attended, despite it being part of the national curriculum, the court heard. 

The school does now have swimming lessons, the court was told, but there are still three schools under Wigan council that don't. Alex was one of three boys