First picture of 15-year-old who drowned while swimming in London park lake
A football club has paid tribute to a ‘respectful young man’ with ‘infectious energy’ who drowned after going swimming at a London park.
Alarm was raised on Friday afternoon after the teenager went missing in Beckenham Place Park in southeast London. After a desperate search, his body was brought on shore shortly before 11pm.
The teen has now been named as Izaiah Smith, 15, a promising young footballer.
His football club Seda Academy paid tribute to him on social media, saying he was ‘such a bright light within our programme.’
Seda Academy, a club running training for teens aged 14-19, said: ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that SEDA Academy mourns the loss of our beloved U16s player, Izaiah Smith, who passed away on 04.04.2025.
‘We are absolutely heartbroken by this news.
‘Izaiah was such a bright light within our programme.
‘Always present at training, he greeted everyone with the most adorable smile.
‘His huge character and infectious energy will be deeply missed by us all. He was a truly respectful young man, always showing kindness and consideration to all the coaches and staff at SEDA Academy.
‘We all had so much time for Izaiah.
‘He touched so many lives within our academy family.
‘Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
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‘We hope they are able to grieve in the way that brings them some comfort.
‘The players and coaching staff at SEDA Academy will forever cherish the memories we shared with Izaiah. We hope our dear Izaiah rests peacefully.
‘You will always be in our hearts.’
Specialist diving teams searched the lake for hours and around 35 firefighters were at the park, which was evacuated and cordonned off during the searches.
While the Beckenham Place Park has reopened, the lake will remain closed off with security in place ‘until further notice,’ the council said.
London waterways have been dangerous places for young people.
A search and recovery operation is ongoing after 11-year-old Kaliyah Coa fell into the River Thames on Monday.
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