11:26am Thursday 5th September 2002
The grief-stricken parents of Gameli Akuklu, who died at the police training college swimming pool in Colindale, are shocked that they may have to wait up to 18 months to find out exactly how the tragedy happened.
Gameli's father, Cephas Akuklu, of Acklington Drive, Grahame Park, said: "The whole incident is a shocking tragedy for us and I am still really confused.
"But I hope that at the end of the day we will know the truth as to what happened at the pool.
"What was the lifeguard doing? Were they following procedure? I can't understand it.
"I wish I could have direct contact with the people involved, especially the youth workers, so they could tell me exactly what they were doing."
Mr Akuklu, a lecturer at Barnet College, and his wife, Evelyn, have been told the investigation into the deaths of their 14-year-old son on July 30, and his friend, William Kadama, might take up to 18 months to resolve.
Mrs Akuklu, a nurse at Homerton Hospital, said: "I think that is too long. We just want a simple answer and that is the truth. I don't know what happened that day."
The independent Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is supervising the investigation into the deaths of Gameli and William. A spokeswoman for the PCA explained the investigation could take between six and 18 months.
She said: "It is a very complex case and a detailed investigation. There are so many factors that come into it and that can affect time scales."
On Friday and Saturday, hundreds of mourners paid their respects at a wake and funeral service for Gameli at the International Gospel Church in Watling Avenue, Burnt Oak.
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