Young boxer, described as 'a future world champ' by Tyson Fury, drowned after friends begged him not to go in river

A young boxer, described as "a future world champ" by Tyson Fury, drowned in a river after his friends begged him not to go into the water an inquest heard. Frank Varey, 16, 'could not swim' but still tried to cross the River Dee in Chester.

The teenager was was relaxing with friends in the afternoon sun last summer when the tragedy unfolded, Cheshire Live reports . On July 22nd he attempted to swim from the city centre side to the Handbridge bank with friends.

An inquest held in Warrington on Wednesday (May 18) heard that Frank was with his friends at a pontoon near The Moorings. According to witness statements, they had been jumping in the water 'to keep cool'.

Then some of the group, including Frank, decided to swim across the river to the other side. This is despite the fact that Frank could not swim, according to a statement from his mum Sarah.

READ MORE: Youngsters swarm to Chester River Dee pontoon near where teenager died

Two friends had tried to persuade the youngster from Lancashire to stay out of the water. Witnesses said they saw Frank almost reach the other side when he got into trouble.

Despite friends' and bystanders' heroic efforts to save him, Frank disappeared under the water. Emergency services were called at just before 2.30pm and a huge search operation was launched.

But the teenager's body was found under the water at 7.58pm, not far from where he disappeared. A post-mortem concluded that he died as a result of drowning.

During the inquest, assistant coroner for Cheshire Jean Harkin read out a statement from Frank's mum Sarah. She said they were a close family and added: "Frank has always been a fit and healthy child apart from having his tonsils removed when he was younger. He attended primary