Teen filmed drowning in lake by friends

A 19-year-old teenager has died after drowning in a lake in Nottinghamshire, England, while spending time with friends during a recent heatwave. Disturbing footage of the incident has since circulated widely on social media, prompting calls for its removal.

The victim, Panashe Muchenje, from Nottingham, visited Balderton Lake near Newark with two friends on May 28. Reports indicate that he entered the water but soon got into difficulty.

Videos of the tragic incident were later shared online, leading his family to appeal to social media platforms and technology companies to remove the footage. They also urged the public to stop speculating about the circumstances surrounding his death, saying such comments only add to their grief.

Authorities confirmed that the incident is not being treated as suspicious. Panashe was reportedly in the water for around 22 minutes before being pulled out and attended to by paramedics. He was rushed to hospital but later died from the effects of the incident.

Balderton councillor Johno Lee condemned the circulation of the footage, describing it as disgraceful and deeply distressing for the teenager’s family and loved ones. He called on social media companies to act swiftly to remove the videos and urged the public not to share them.

Nottinghamshire Police said no criminal investigation is underway and that a report is being prepared for the coroner. Chief Inspector Clive Collings expressed condolences to the family and reminded the public of the dangers of swimming in open water, particularly during hot weather when hidden hazards beneath the surface can pose serious risks.