Owen Jenkins 'selflessly and fearlessly put the safety of others before his own'
A coroner has recorded an accidental death conclusion after a popular young schoolboy drowned after rescuing his friends from a deep river when they screamed for help, an inquest heard.
Coroner Mairin Casey paid tribute to Owen Jenkins, who she said “selflessly and fearlessly put the safety of others before his own”.
She also praises Owen’s “inspirational” mother Nicola for her plans to set up water safety training programme in schools, to leave a “a proper and lasting legacy to this very brave young man”.
Owen - who was a talented runner and rugby player - noticed his two friends, Jorgie Myers and Chelsea Holroyd, get into trouble in the water in July 2016.
Hailed as a hero by his family and the community around Beeston Weir in Nottinghamshire, the 12-year-old, of Beeston, was swept away by the current after lifting Jorgie out of the river at around 6pm.
Nottinghamshire Coroner's Court was told that Owen's body was found by the underwater rescue team in the River Trent at 10pm.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that he died from drowning and no illicit or prescribed substances were involved.
The hearing was attended by Owen's mother Nicola his father, Gary who wore a purple t-shirt that read "for Owen", and Owen's brother, Jordan, among other family members.
Coroner Mairin Casey said he attended Beeston Weir on July 10 with four riends: Jorgie, Chelsea, Paige Haworth and Emma Keeton.
Summarising events, the coroner said:
A statement from Jorgie, read to the court by the coroner, said:
The coroner then told the court how Owen shouted to Emma to get Chelsea while he rescued Jorgie.
The statement continued:
Giving evidence, Ruth Hyde, of Broxtowe Borough Council, said:
The councillor also told the inquest a temporary barrier was erected shortly after the incident along with life-saving equipment stored near the weir.
Acting Detective Chief Inspector of Nottinghamshire Police told the court he was satisfied no criminality was involved.