A SCHOOLBOY was found trapped between two rocks after he drowned in a river while on a family say out, an inquest heard.
Khaled Basem Al Satouf, 12, disappeared under the water in the River Swale at Richmond Falls, North , and did not resurface.
Khaled was found dead around six hours after he vanished under the water Credit: NNP
Witnesses believed the youngster was messing around at first Credit: Mark Branagan
Witnesses believed the youngster had been “messing around” before they heard his family screaming on a pebble beach nearby.
An inquest was told Khaled’s body was discovered 12ft beneath the surface of the river trapped between two rocks.
Assistant coroner for North Yorkshire Alison Norton said Khaled died from drowning as she ruled his death was an accident.
Northallerton Coroner’s Court heard Khaled was with six other members of his family on August 16 before he got into difficulty.
Khaled’s family watched in horror as he slipped under the water Credit: NNP
He was discovered 12ft below the water trapped between two rocks Credit: NNP
Describing the tragedy, witness Paul Norton said: “There were lots of people in the water on the day in question, and there was one boy in the bottom pool having fun and splashing around.
“His family was on the pebble beach, and I stood and watched for two minutes – the boy seemed to be having a good time.
“He was in water up to his neck. I had no concerns for him. He was going under the water, and I thought he was just messing around.
“Two minutes later, I heard screams from further along the falls and towards the river. I turn around, and he’s no longer there.”
A child witness, who cannot be named, said she was in the water with Khaled when he vanished under the water.
She added: “I was in the water near a rock and Khaled was going to get out I thought he was joking. He was always joking.
“I was him go under the water for a while and said Khaled is drowning. He was going back towards the waterfall. I saw him gong under for a while. He can swim a bit. But not in that water.”
North Yorkshire were scrambled at around 5pm and a search was launched to find the youngster.
Tragically, Khaled was found around six hours later at 10.45pm.
Officers concluded there were no suspicious circumstances and no third party involvement.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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