Drowning of teenager Jack Susianta who fled police was accident, inquest rules

Jack Susianta. Photograph: Facebook

The death of a 17 year-old boy who drowned in the river Lea as dozens of officers looked on was an accident, an inquest jury decided today.

Jack Susianta had suffered a drug-induced psychosis last July after taking ecstasy at a music festival. He was taken to a hospital by police and released after a psychiatrist found his symptoms had alleviated.

However, two days later the A-level student ran away in a panic from his family home in Hackney and his parents called the police. As officers pursued Jack he ran into the river where he drowned.

After the inquest jury returned its verdict today the lawyer for Jack’s family confirmed they did not wish to be interviewed.

‘Hesitant’

Officers appeared “hesitant” to try to save the teenager on 29 July last year, a witness had told the inquest at St Pancras coroner’s court.

Police rejected this accusation, saying officers’ lives could have been put at risk.

The inquest heard how officers tried to throw Jack a life buoy, which he refused. Jack sank and resurfaced several times before finally disappearing beneath the water.

The first officer got into the water four minutes after Jack had gone under for the final time, the court heard.

The Metropolitan Police’s Commander for East London, Lucy D’Orsi, today published a statement on the tragic incident.

“Following Jack’s death, my thoughts remain with his family and friends,” she said. “I also recognise the impact Jack’s death has had on members of the public who watched as the incident unfolded last July and other emergency service personnel involved.”

“That day also had a lasting impact on the police officers who had been called by Jack’s family to help them. None of my colleagues come to work knowing what they will deal with during their shift. It was the second time officers had attempted to assist Jack in two days.

“[My colleagues] located him and when he entered the canal near Lea Bridge Road they threw him life-lines which he did not take.

“A local officer then made the decision to enter the water and tried to rescue Jack.

“Once he was submerged, this was a personal choice and we should not underestimate the bravery of this officer. The officer would have been well aware of the dangers of entering the water.

“My colleague who entered the water to help Jack and others involved, are naturally very upset that they were unable to help him and save his life.”