Tributes for police pool drowning boy

The two boys had to be dragged out of the pool

A teenager who drowned in a north London police swimming pool has been described as a "churchgoing credit to the community".

Gameli Akuklu, 14, was pronounced dead after being pulled out of the Metropolitan Police swimming pool at Hendon Police Training Centre on Monday.

His best friend William Kadama, 14, is on a life-support machine after getting into difficulties in the pool.

Gameli Akuklu was a 'shy and quiet' boy

They were among a group of youngsters taking part in a council-run summer activities scheme.

Gameli's mother Evelyn, a nurse, and father Cephas, a lecturer in accountancy at Barnet College, were too upset to talk about the tragedy.

Flowers have been left in a tribute outside the family's terraced home in Colindale.

Gameli went to St Mary's Church of England School in West Hendon and with his family regularly attended the International Gospel Church, Burnt Oak.

He was a member of the Rainbow Youth group which was one of two youth groups using the pool at the time.

His mother and father and little sister are absolutely heartbroken - the whole community is devastated by this

Pastor Paul Sands

Senior pastor Paul Sands said both boys were heavily involved in church and youth group activities.

He said: "Gameli and William were best friends. They were both almost six feet even though they were only 14.

"They were quite shy and quiet boys and had some fun like any other teenagers, but both were committed Christians.

"They were involved in the church youth group and in groups meeting in local parishioners' homes.

"Gameli was especially shy and a sensitive boy. He was a keen footballer and a supporter of Manchester United.

"He used to make the tea for parishioners after services on Sundays and greet people, shaking hands as they entered and left the services.

'Devastated'

"His mother and father and little sister are absolutely heartbroken.

"Their grieving has only just begun. The whole community is devastated by this."

The pastor said the boys' families had signed them up at Barnet College to a local council scheme run during the summer to keep schoolchildren busy during the holidays.

Pastor Sands added: "They were not on a scheme for deprived kids or kids from deprived areas, as has been reported.

"This was an example of good parenting - putting the boys on a scheme to keep them occupied for the school holidays, but it went tragically wrong.

"There are no accusations being made, but the family want to know the truth of the matter and who was responsible for this."

William's aunt Mary, a lecturer in IT at Barnet College, is at his bedside.

Tribute service

His mother and father, originally from Uganda, are both dead.

Pastor Sands said the community would be praying for both boys.

Gameli's extended family in Ghana are currently being contacted and are are expected to fly to the UK for a tribute service on Sunday.

Gameli's treasured Manchester United football scarf will play a part in the service.