Limehouse Cut Canal, Pic: Flickr (http://bit.ly/zlifr2)

The 15 year old who drowned in Limehouse Cut Canal has been identified as Shahidul Hassan, as reported in East London Advertiser today.

The teenager from East London fell into the water along the canal near Thomas Road apparently whilst playing hide and seek with his friends.

His uncle Abdul Mukith, told the publication: “He was climbing on the railing along the water and must have slipped. He was a good swimmer and told his friends he would swim to the other side rather than try to climb back onto the railings.

“We think he may have hurt his leg, a post-mortem accepted that he drowned.

“The water was only reaching his chest but when he got into the middle he realised the water was getting much deeper and he began to struggle.”

According to his family, one of Shahidul’s friends jumped into the water in attempt to help him, but had to abandon his effort after realising how deep the water was.

East London Advertiser claims that while the police and fire brigade say it only took them six minutes to reach the scene of the accident, Shahidul’s father has complained that eyewitnesses said that the emergency services took too long to arrive.

A special prayer was held for the teenager at his school, St Paul’s Way Trust School by students and teachers and hundreds attended his funeral on Wednesday.

According to Poplar coroners an inquest into the death has proven inconclusive, and a new inquest is being adjourned.

The Metropolitan Police told EastLondonLines that they were unable to reach the officers that were in charge of the case, and have no official updates on the teenager’s death.