THE death of a Colne teenager at a boating lake was ‘a very, very cruel accident’, a coroner has ruled.

James Christopher Goodship, 17, died on June 22 after getting into trouble at Lake Burwain, in Foul-ridge, while riding on a makeshift wooden raft.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Speaking after James’s inquest yesterday, his family pledged to use the tragedy to warn children about the dangers of playing in water.

Former Park High School pupil James, who had just completed the first year of a plumbing apprenticeship at Burnley College, had walked down to the lake with seven other young-sters, his friend Keaton Greaves told Burnley Coroner’s Court.

In a statement to police, Keaton said two girls had decided to stay off the raft, which they found near Burwain Sailing Club, because they were ‘scared of the water’.

He said: “We drifted away from the shore towards the middle of the reservoir. Most of us tried to paddle back with our hands, but it didn’t work because the current was quite strong.”

After floating for an hour, Keaton said he and James decided to swim ashore to get help. While Keaton slowly eased himself into the water, James – described as a good swimmer – took off his t-shirt and dived in.

Keaton added: “I’ve never felt anything like it. It just froze my body completely. It was horrible.” Keaton said after realising how cold the water was, and how far away the shore was, the pair decided to swim back towards the raft.

A friend, referred to only as Celia, pulled Keaton out of the water but James could not make it and disappeared into the water.

Keaton said: “I heard the others shouting: ‘Go on, you’re nearly there’. When I heard James shouting I knew he was in enormous trouble because I knew how he felt. If it wasn’t for Celia jumping in to help me, I would have been the same.”

James, of Duke Street, Colne, was found dead at 5.40am the following morning after a lengthy search and rescue operation involving divers.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said: “This appears to me to be a very, very cruel accident that has taken this young man.”

James’s mum, Melanie Goodship, said she was hoping to visit schools to highlight the dangers of reservoirs and have extra signs installed near the water.

She said: “His friends and the community have been so supportive. It’s affected everyone; the loss of a true Colner. At the end of the day, to get education out there to children of the dangers, that’s the most important thing to do.”