Cops left my son alone to drown, says heartbroken mum after police officers refused to jump into river to save him
POLICE were guilty of neglect in failing to save a teen boy who drowned after jumping into a freezing river to evade arrest, an inquest jury ruled yesterday.
Marcel Wochna, 15, and a pal had sneaked out at night and were mucking around on boats when PCs William Chan and Keely Miles arrived.
PC Chan tried to handcuff Marcel but he broke free and jumped into the River Itchen, near Southampton, on November 8, 2021.
The inquest heard he gasped out loud due to its coldness.
The other boy said the cop did “not in any way” check if Marcel was OK and instead took him to a patrol car to call for back-up.
PC Chan said he did not know his force’s policies for working near water other than: “Don’t go in the water.”
He added: “I am not a strong swimmer.”
Marcel’s heartbroken mother released a statement claiming he “probably would have survived if officers had helped him” but ‘”instead he was left alone to drown in the dark, cold water”.
Marcel’s body was found a day later, more than two miles down river.
The inquest jury in Winchester gave a narrative verdict, saying “insufficient immediate action was taken by the officers to attempt to rescue Marcel” — and that “neglect” contributed to his death.
Aspiring actor Marcel’s mum Beata said her “extroverted, friendly, funny and active” son had been “left alone to drown in the dark, cold water”.