Tributes to boy, 16, who died after swimming in lake

A teenage boy who died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a lake in Nottinghamshire has been named.

Police said Valentine Ikechukwu was found by an underwater search team after he was reported missing at Colwick Country Park on Wednesday.

Tributes have been paid to the 16-year-old who was a student at Nottingham College.

In a statement, his family said: "Valentine will remain in our hearts forever. He was a well-loved son and brother, and we are absolutely devastated as a family."

"Long live Valentine, forever 16," his family added.

"Words cannot describe what we are going through right now."

Valentine's family said he was well-liked among his friends, and they said they were trying to come to terms with his death.

"He will be forever missed," they added.

The college confirmed Valentine was a business student who had left earlier this year and expressed deep shock at his death.

A college spokesperson added: "Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly difficult time.

"He was a popular student whilst with us, and we have extended our full wellbeing support to his former classmates who will be devastated to hear the news."

Police have said the teenager's death was not being treated as suspicious and that a file was being prepared for the coroner.

Det Insp Gail Routledge, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was a tragedy where a young boy has lost his life.

"Our thoughts remain with Valentine's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

"While work continues to understand how Valentine came into difficulty, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the devastating consequences of entering open water - regardless of whether people do so deliberately or inadvertently."

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