Witnesses interviewed over police pool deaths

9:42am Friday 16th August 2002

Around 20 key witnesses have been interviewed by police trying to piece together how two teenage boys died in a swimming pool at the Hendon Police Training College.

Investigations by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Barnet Council were continuing this week into the events of July 30 which led to the death of 14-year-olds Gameli Akuklu and William Kadama.

The boys had been part of a Splash scheme with 37 other teenagers which was run by Barnet Council and police at the college in Aerodrome Road.

They were found unconscious underwater but despite efforts from the single police lifeguard on duty, Gameli, of Acklington Drive, Grahame Park, died hours later.

William, of Hemswell Drive, Grahame Park, died on Wednesday last week at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

A spokesman for the PCA said on Wednesday: "We have got a meeting later on today when we will have a much clearer idea of what is going on. At the moment, 20 or so key witnesses among the teenagers present have been interviewed by specially-trained police officers and statements taken."

Meanwhile Detective Chief Inspector Ronald Knight, who is investigating the deaths of the boys, said at the opening of the inquest into William's death on Thursday last week that there was no evidence to suggest horseplay' contributed to the boys' deaths.

The inquest at Hornsey Coroners Court was adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

A post-mortem found William had died from a brain injury after drowning.

- Gameli Akuklu's funeral will take place on August 31 at Hendon Cemetery, Holders Hill Road, on August 31.