No charges after teenager drowns

POLICE are still investigating how British teenager Liam Manley drowned in a Dordogne lake but say there will be no charges

A post mortem examination on Liam, 14, who died while swimming in a lake at Saint-Estèphe, near Nontron, has confirmed that he died from drowning.

His family in Chester in the UK have been informed but have asked the British Consulate in Bordeaux to release no further information.

Police are treating the death as accidental but are still investigating the circumstances. The Gendarmerie Nationale says that there is no question of any charges arising from the incident.

There were no lifeguards on duty at the time of the lunch-time incident as they were not due to start until 13.00 and swimming was allowed, but at people’s own risk.

Liam had gone into the lake with a friend from school after lunch around 12.30 and they had swum out to a raft in the middle of the water. While the friend climbed on the raft, Liam got into difficulties and went under.

Witness Kelly Yeomans said she heard one boy shouting for help. “He was shouting, trying to get someone to come and help him get his friend out of the water. He said he was drowning.

“We went into the water but it was impossible to see anything without goggles.

“The lifeguards arrived and called us out and then others found the young lad and the lifeguards got him onto their speedboat and took him to their hut.”

Liam had been staying with his friend's family in Vieux-Mareuil, near Brantôme.

Saint-Estèphe mayor Marc Veyssiere said: "Nothing like this has ever happened before, so we are all deeply shocked.

"A full inquiry has been launched. It will, of course, concentrate on the security of this site, making sure that all correct procedures were followed.

"We welcome 3,000 people every day and around 400 of them go swimming under the watch of three life guards."

The lake was closed for swimming today as chemical tests had found a high level of cyanobacteria in the water. They can cause skin problems or gastro-enteritis.

Health watchdog InVS says there have been 217 deaths by accidental drowning between June 1 and August 9 – three deaths a day.
Photo: Traumrune