Dorking Wanderers make heartfelt tribute to 15 year old footballer who died in tragic incident

Dorking Wanderers make a heartfelt tribute to a 15 year old footballer who died in tragic incident on Friday afternoon.

The victim at Beckenham Place Park has been named as Izaiah Smith, after getting into difficulty while swimming in the lake on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Emergency services, including specialist dive teams, the London Ambulance Service, and the London Fire Brigade, responded to the scene shortly after 3:00 PM.

Izaiah was recovered from the water around 10:42 PM and was taken to hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead. His football club, SEDA Football Academy, paid tribute to him, describing him as a bright and talented young man.

The Metropolitan Police are treating his death as unexpected but not suspicious. The lake remains closed while the wider park has reopened.

BREAKING: A 15-year-old boy has died after “getting into difficulty” in a lake in Beckenham Place Park, in Lewisham, southeast London, police say.

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BECKENHAM update: A 15-year-old boy who drowned after getting into difficulty swimming in Beckenham Place Park Lake, around 3pm on Friday, has been named locally as Izaiah Smith who went to Kingsdale School in West Dulwich, and played at weekends for Dorking Wanderers under 16s. pic.twitter.com/YPS3ti2nkq

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Interviewer: “St Albans 1 Dorking Wanderers 1, late equaliser got a couple of things that we want to speak about something that’s taken more importance than this game so Marc I know you want to just summarise the game before we move on to that other point so thoughts on the on the game now well”

Marc: “Yeah well we we’ve got a a really tragic sad matter so I mean in terms of the game I’m delighted with the point, difficult pitch, difficult conditions and I think uh a point we started the day three points clear we’re two points um I think that puts us in good stead I’m happy with that but that we’ll leave that there, we’ll leave that there there’s a lot to play for and and we’re very much looking forward to that

“But there’s been some horrific news um with one of our um under 16s who tragically passed away yesterday drowned and plays for on a Saturday and Sunday and obviously all of our thoughts as a club and I know the football community are going to be with him and his family obviously that takes massive precedence and put puts everything into perspective and we’re just absolutely gutted for the family and his teammates and of course him so all of our thoughts and prayers tonight be with his family and the football is firmly in second place so we’ll just uh we’ll just see everybody next week yeah thank you Marc see you next week at Bath”

On Saturday, April 5, SEDA Football Academy named the victim as Izaiah Smith, a much-loved under-16s player.

In a tribute shared on Instagram: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that SEDA Academy mourns the loss of our beloved U16s player, Izaiah Smith, who passed away on 04.04.2025. 💔 We are absolutely heartbroken by this news.

“Izaiah was such a bright light within our programme. ✨ Always present at training, he greeted everyone with the most adorable smile. 😊 His huge character and infectious energy will be deeply missed by us all. He was a truly respectful young man, always showing kindness and consideration to all the coaches and staff at SEDA Academy. 🙏

“We all had so much time for Izaiah. He touched so many lives within our academy family. ❤️ Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. We hope they are able to grieve in the way that brings them some comfort.

“The players and coaching staff at SEDA Academy will forever cherish the memories we shared with Izaiah. We hope our dear Izaiah rests peacefully. 🕊️💙 You will always be in our hearts. 🌟”

Social media users tweeted after Dorking Wanderers make a heartfelt tribute to the 15 year old footballer who died in a tragic incident…

@TheDB30: Thoughts go out to you all, not least his family, friends and team mates, so sorry to hear this. Well done to James and Marc who handled that with such dignity.

@NonLeagueZac: So sorry to hear this. Sending love to family and friends❤️

@Luke_s18: Horrendously sad and tragic news. Thoughts with the lads family, friends and everyone at Dorking on behalf of all #Spireites. 💙

@trevk37: Awful news 😔 thoughts with his family, RIP young man.

@ClubTanners: This is awful news and puts football into perspective. On behalf of all Leatherhead supporters we send our thoughts to the family, friends and everyone at Dorking Wanderers 💚

@WorthingFCSA: Tragic news. Sending our love and condolences

@mufcjuniors: Thoughts are with you all, family, friends and team mates. Fly High young man 🕊✨

@steviep60: Devastating news. All thoughts and condolences to family and friends.

@scottdavies1988: Only just listened to this. Absolutely terrible news. Thoughts with you all from everyone at @sloughtownfc 💙

@Ryanmax89734412: Our sincere condolences to the family from all of us @SittingbourneFC 🙏🏻❤️

@TonyGauthier1: Our thoughts are with your club at this tragic time 💔

@jettight19: RIP my thoughts are with the family 💔

@SpireiteAlice: Such awful news. My thoughts are with the family, friends and teammates of this young man and all at Dorking Wanderers. Rest in peace.

@jane36london: Such sad news, sending thoughts to the family, team mates and friends of the young player.

@NaylorKelly: Absolutely devastating, he was in my boys team, thinking of his family, friends & team mates as this terribly difficult time 💔😢⚽️

@gdrury71: No matter how much we love to win a game of footy this just bring you back to reality such sad sad news Godbless young man and condolences from all at Stamford to the family.

@Garysparrow88: So sad to hear. Condolences to his family.

@seanwhite89: So sorry to hear that sending my thoughts to everyone involved

@TeachesPrimary: Tragic news for the lad, his family, and the club. My condolences to all

@WRSX_WFC: How sad , rest in peace young man

@TaplowRebel: All at Slough Town are saddened by this awful tragic loss of life 😔

@daggercraig82: Such awful sad news. RIP to the young man thoughts and best wishes to all of his friends and family

@stevepollo60: Very sad news absolutely devastating for the family, sending my condolences may the young lad RIP