Case Summary: Asyer Daley
Feb 12, 2022CASE SUMMARY
On Friday 31st July 2020, at around 20:50, Asyer Daley (15 years old) entered the water near an inflatable aqua park located on Alexandra Lake next to the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock (Southgate and Rogers, 2020). It was the UK’s hottest day, with temperatures of 37.8°C reported.
The new inflatable water park had opened on the lake only a few weeks before. The aqua park operated by Aqua Parks Group Limited launched the attraction earlier in the same month. The aqua park contains slides and blast bags which can launch participants dozens of feet into the air (McCarthy, 2020).
Asyer was playing on the inflatables when he slipped and fell into the water. Subdued by the cold water, Asyer got into difficulty. Despite the best efforts of his friends, they were unable to reach him due to the water temperature, and Asyer drowned.
Firefighters from Grays, Corringham, Orsett, and Leigh fire stations attended the scene, alongside the service’s Urban Search and Rescue Team. Asyer’s body was found on 1st August 2020, at 12:40 by the Urban Search and Rescue Team, a specialist division of the Fire and Rescue Service.
Eyewitness Macy Hall, who was staying in the Travelodge Hotel, which overlooked the lake, described the shocking moment emergency services swarmed the scene on Friday evening (Gray, 2020; McCarthy, 2020):
My boyfriend and I were walking back to our hotel when we saw the police running towards the boats which are outside the restaurants.
Two policemen then jumped over the gate to get to where the boats are kept and then they made their way towards the aqua park in the middle of the lake. More police then started running towards us and then we heard a lot of sirens coming our way and then we realised something very bad had happened.
There was a group of kids around the aqua park, and they sounded so upset. One started crying to a policeman, begging him to find a missing boy.
We had thought they had found the boy, but then we saw them going back into the water to look. As we left, we saw what we believe to be the family of the boy, who looked extremely upset and a man who looked heartbroken and very shaken up.
It was very scary and upsetting to see that a young boy had died. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
A statement from Essex Police read (The Standard, 2020):
Officers searching for the missing 15-year-old boy at Alexandra Lake, Thurrock have suspended their search following the discovery of a body.
The family have been informed that the search has been suspended. Formal identification will take place in due course.
Chief Supt Glen Pavelin added (Thurrock Nub News, 2020):
We had the sad death of a teenager last weekend which acts as a terribly tragic reminder that water can present hidden dangers.
It’s going to be really hot this weekend and there will be a temptation to find ways to cool off, and some of that may involve water.
My plea to you is please only go in water where it is safe to do so and make sure someone else knows where you are at all times.
Please do not go beyond your depth or swimming capabilities and please above all stay safe.
An inquest at Essex Coroner’s Court was heard on Friday, 21st May 2021. Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray heard how Asyer was playing on the inflatables before slipping and falling into the water (Woolston, 2020).
A letter written by the family and read out by senior coroner Lincoln Brookes described Asyer (May, 2021; Thurrock Nub News, 2021):
Asyer was a happy, loving child and had great manners and a lot of respect for everyone. There's not a bad thing anyone could say about Asyer.
He always made everyone smile when they were down. Asyer was always advanced for his age, very clever. He also loved being outside. He loved doing things all the time, like going to the zoo and theme parks. He loved being outside. He would do anything to go out of the house.
He was the life and soul of the party. He loved his music and dancing all the time. Asyer's a lovely person. We miss him so much. There's not a day that goes by where Mum or Dad don't cry missing our son. We still can't believe our special boy is gone forever.
The inquest heard that police had decided there was no need for an investigation of the Aqua Park Group Limited, which operated the inflatable park (Thurrock Nub News, 2021). The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.
References (25)
Note: I wish those affected all the best in their future. No part of this article purports to attribute blame. See our methodology page for further details of how these case summaries are constructed.
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Citation: Jacklin, D. 2022. Case Summary: Ayser Daley. Water Incident Research Hub, 12th February.
