The lake at Beckenham Place Park in South London has reopened to the public nearly three weeks after the tragic drowning of 15-year-old Izaiah Smith.
Izaiah vanished while swimming in the lake on the afternoon of Friday, April 4. Emergency services launched a large-scale search and recovered his body later that evening. He was pronounced dead in hospital, leaving his family, friends, and community devastated.
The teenager, described as a rising football star who played for West London football academy SEDA, was swimming in broad daylight when he got into difficulty. His disappearance sparked a desperate search, including specialist divers and the evacuation of the park.
Following the tragedy, Lewisham Council temporarily closed the lake. The 285-metre-long body of water, reaching depths of up to 3.5 metres, reopened on Tuesday (April 23) for pre-booked swimming and paddleboarding sessions operated by PTP Coaching. The gates to the lake will remain locked at all other times, as per standard protocol.
Despite the reopening, Lewisham Council declined to comment on whether any new safety measures have been implemented following the incident.
Metropolitan Police have issued a renewed warning about the dangers of open water swimming. Chief Inspector Rob Ranstead said:
“We absolutely understand the natural draw of rivers, lakes and open water across the city. However, we have sadly seen a recent rise in incidents where people have got into difficulty – and very tragically, some have lost their lives.”
“Open water may appear calm and inviting, but it can be dangerously deceptive. Strong currents, sudden drops, hidden hazards and cold-water shock can affect even the strongest swimmers.”
Izaiah’s family issued a heartfelt statement following his death, describing him as a “cherished son, brother, cousin, nephew, classmate and friend” who had a gift for uplifting those around him.
“His bright future was tragically cut short in a drowning accident, leaving an irreplaceable void in the lives of all who knew him,” they said.
“His infectious smile, charm, kindness, and unwavering dedication to others made every room brighter.”
A GoFundMe campaign set up by staff and parents at Kingsdale Foundation School, where Izaiah was a student, has raised over £22,000 to help cover funeral and bereavement costs.
The incident has renewed calls for greater public education on the risks of open water swimming and highlighted the need for improved safety measures in recreational lakes.
Police continue to advise swimmers to only enter supervised and designated swimming areas and to avoid entering open water without proper planning, supervision, and safety equipment.
