A 13-year-old boy, Delvin Tinashe Musakwa, tragically drowned shortly after plunging into the Exeter Canal. The incident occurred on May 5, 2025, when Delvin went swimming with friends at Clapperbrook Bridge. Delvin, a football enthusiast, entered the water after observing his friend’s safe return to land, the Devon Coroner’s Court in Exeter revealed.
After Delvin failed to resurface, bystanders attempted a frantic rescue effort, but sadly, his body was recovered from the canal approximately 25 minutes later. He was pronounced dead at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Delvin’s mother, Cecelia Chipiri, described him as a student at Isca Academy in Exeter, emphasizing his passion for sports and football as a member of Heavitree Youth FC. Although he had received swimming lessons during childhood, Cecelia mentioned that Delvin was not a confident swimmer but was mindful of his swimming abilities.
On the day of the tragedy, Delvin had been engaged in a football game with friends before deciding to head to Double Locks for a swim due to the warm weather. Witnesses reported that Delvin had promised to follow his friend into the water after the friend’s safe entry. However, upon Delvin’s jump, he failed to resurface, with his friend witnessing him struggling underwater.
Multiple individuals, including Katie Finch and Neil Baker, responded to the distress calls and attempted to aid in the rescue operation. Emergency services, including police, ambulance, fire crews, and the air ambulance, were promptly dispatched to the scene.
The Home Office forensic pathologist, Dr. Deborah Cook, attributed Delvin’s cause of death to drowning, noting that he had no underlying health issues or injuries that would have hindered his ability to swim or resurface. Dr. Cook suggested that Delvin may have experienced cold water shock, leading to involuntary gasping and subsequent drowning.
Senior coroner Philip Spinney commended the public’s courageous efforts in trying to save Delvin and concluded that the unfortunate incident was an accidental death likely triggered by cold water shock.
