Boy, 11, drowns in swimming class

An 11-year-old boy has drowned during a school swimming lesson at a leisure centre in Oxfordshire.

Nathan Matthews was pulled from the swimming pool at Thame Leisure Centre by a lifeguard, after he appeared motionless in the water.

Attempts to resuscitate the year six pupil, from Stokenchurch Primary School, High Wycombe, Bucks, failed.

He was taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1230 BST.

It is too early to tell how or why this happened. We can only hope that swift investigation will shed more light Andrew White, head teacher

His parents were taken to the hospital after being contacted immediately by the school.

Nathan was one of 88 pupils having a Monday morning swimming lesson when the incident took place.

Headteacher Andrew White said: "This is a tragedy, and our deepest sympathies are with the boy's family and friends at this time.

"He was a fun-loving and friendly boy who will be sadly missed at school.

"It is too early to tell how or why this happened. We can only hope that swift investigation will shed more light."

Buckinghamshire County Council has said it is working alongside the leisure centre, the school, Thame Town Council - which owns the privately-managed leisure centre - and the coroner's officer to establish what happened.

Police say they are are not treating the death as suspicious.