Tragic death in Thames

Wednesday 5th January 2005 - Newswire announcement

An inquiry into the death of schoolboy oarsman Sikander Farooq who drowned in the river Thames during a rowing training session was due to begin today.

The youngster's body was found by police divers searching the freezing river after the boy toppled into the water on Sunday morning.

An inquest into Sikander's death was opened by Berkshire Coroner Peter Bedford yesterday / on Tuesday afternoon, and adjourned so that a further investigation into the drowning could be carried out.

A spokesman for the Coroner said that the young rower, from Reading, Berks., was aged 15 years - not 12 years, as had been stated by police.

The Amateur Rowing Association has combined with officials from the Reading Rowing Club, where the youngster and others in his family were all members, to hold an official inquiry into the tragedy.

The Reading club president, Tony Holland, confirmed that chiefs from the ARA and his club were meeting to investigate all issues, including safety, relating to the drowning.

Sakinder had been alone in a single skull boat on Sunday morning, and was accompanied by two other rowers as they practiced their skills alongside the Thames promenade at Reading.

A passer-by raised the alarm by dialling 999 at around 10am when he saw the 15-year-old topple into the river, and disappear beneath the surface.