Police have confirmed that a body recovered from a nature reserve lake in Lincoln is that of Declan Sawyer, a 15-year-old boy who got into difficulty while swimming with friends during record-breaking heat.

Lincolnshire Police named the teenager on May 24, 2026, with his family’s permission, after an underwater search team located his body in Swanholme Lakes. The discovery came after hours of searching that stretched into the evening, following an emergency call made around 2:30 p.m. reporting that a boy had gotten into trouble in the water.

The tragedy unfolded on what was provisionally the hottest May day in at least 79 years across much of the U.K. At Heathrow, temperatures soared to over 32 degrees Celsius (about 90 F), while Lincoln saw the mercury climb to roughly 25 degrees Celsius (77 F). The exceptional heat drew many residents outdoors to parks, rivers and lakes seeking relief.

A Search That Stretched Into the Night

Declan got into trouble shortly after entering the water at the reserve, which sits about three miles from Lincoln city center. A dive team and underwater search unit were deployed to scour the lake throughout the afternoon and evening.

During the operation, officers worked to control false reports circulating online that the boy had already been found. “It is vitally important that people do not speculate or share information that is not accurate,” a police spokesperson said during the search. “Information that the boy has been found at this time is wrong. We will update our information when we can.”

The force also urged members of the public not to visit or gather near Swanholme Lakes while the search was ongoing, asking that emergency services be allowed to operate without disruption and that the dignity of the situation be maintained.

Late in the evening, police confirmed that divers had found a body in the water. In a statement, the force said that with the family’s agreement, the boy could be named as Declan Sawyer. Officers extended their condolences to his loved ones and acknowledged the wider impact on his friends and the local community.

Warnings About Open Water

Swanholme Lakes is a nature reserve and a nationally recognized Site of Special Scientific Interest. Advice issued by Lincoln Council makes clear that the lakes are reserved for wildlife only, warning that swimming is hazardous to health. Paddling and swimming, by either people or dogs, disturbs wildlife and can pose serious dangers, the council says.

Despite those warnings, the appeal of cool water on an exceptionally hot afternoon has long drawn visitors to the lakes.

Water safety experts and emergency services have repeatedly warned that even on warm days, lakes and reservoirs can remain dangerously cold beneath the surface, posing risks of cold water shock to swimmers regardless of ability. Inland waters such as those at Swanholme also frequently contain hidden hazards, including submerged debris, dense weeds and steep underwater drops, all of which can quickly overwhelm even strong swimmers. Further details of the search outlined how officers continued combing the site until the body was recovered.

Declan’s death is likely to renew long-standing concerns about open water safety in the U.K., particularly during periods of exceptionally hot weather.

School Mourns ‘Loyal Friend’

Declan was a student at Priory City of Lincoln Academy, which described his death as devastating in a statement released to families and staff. The school said he was a valued member of the academy and a loyal friend to many students.

“This loss is devastating and our entire Priory Lincoln learning community is grieving alongside Declan’s family and friends,” the academy said. School leaders said Declan’s presence and character would be sorely missed by staff and students alike, with his absence expected to be felt profoundly in the coming days, weeks and months.

The timing of the tragedy has added a layer of difficulty. With half-term week starting, pupils will be away from the classroom and the everyday support networks of school, just as many begin to process the news. The academy said it would be on hand to support every member of its community, noting that students might experience a wide range of emotions in the days ahead.

Declan’s father, Carl, described his son as “a funny and outgoing young man who loved fishing and football,” adding that he had a “very cheeky smile and the personality to match.” Carl said Declan was “very much loved by his friends and family” and called on parents to raise awareness about children playing near rivers and lakes during hot weather. Declan also played on the under-15 team at St Helens football club in Lincoln, which described him as a “valued member” of the squad and said its thoughts and prayers were with his family, friends, teammates and coaches.

Flowers were left near the spot where the tragedy unfolded, a quiet marker of grief in a community now reeling from the loss of one of its young people. Police also urged residents to support anyone struggling with the news and encouraged those affected to seek help.