A TEENAGER drowned in a "tragic accident" despite brave friends risking their lives trying to save him, an inquest found.

Harwell resident Ellis Downes vanished in the River Thames just as two friends were about to grab him, after the 16-year-old got into trouble while going for a swim in the "freezing cold" water near Abingdon on May 7.

His body was pulled from the river two days later, and Oxfordshire assistant coroner Jeremy Chipperfield yesterday concluded the student's death was accidental.

Speaking at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court, where Ellis' sisters Tayla and Alex were present, he said: "Two of them bravely dived in and swam towards him. He was almost within reach when he sunk underwater. It was impossible for them to retrieve him."

Detective inspector Mike Roddy, who spoke at the court, described the drowning as a "traumatic" and a "tragic accident".

The court heard how a group, including some older than Ellis and a six-year-old girl, drove to the river near Culham bridge at about 8.30pm that Saturday.

A statement from friend Dean Gunning said: "It was a nice sunny day so we decided to go to the river to chill out and relax...during the journey Ellis was laughing and joking."

Ellis soon stripped down to his boxers and took the plunge towards Abingdon Marina, leaving his clothes neatly folded on the bank, the court heard.

Mr Gunning added: "He was getting tired in the middle and I got concerned, so we cheered him on.

"He struggled to pull himself out onto the bank. He had one arm over his face and looked exhausted. He lay there for a couple of minutes, you could see he was shaking."

The court heard how Ellis declined a friend's offer to drive over to pick him up, and instead dived back into the water.

Mr Gunning's statement continued: "He was drifting...we thought he was messing around to start with."

He said his brother Jack, who had already been in the water and was drying off, "ripped off his clothes" and jumped back in, with Mr Gunning diving in shortly afterwards, while others called 999.

He added: "As I dived in, I went numb as the water was freezing cold, I couldn't breathe and the current was strong.

"The water was almost black, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face".

His brother Jack added in a statement: "Just as I got to Ellis, he went under. I used all my strength to go under the water but I needed to get out. It was so cold."

A narrowboat owner nearby said he heard them shouting "he's drowning, he's gone under".

His body was found the following Monday, submerged face-down where he went missing.

Dad Darren Downes confirmed his identification two days later, when a post-mortem examination found river water in his airways.

There were no traces of drugs or alcohol.

His death has prompted safety calls from campaigners, as statistics released by the National Water Safety Forum last week revealed 321 people died in 2015 from accidental drownings.

David Walker, leisure safety manager at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "This is a terrible tragedy, and every year we see young men losing their lives while enjoying a swim.

"For many it’s the hidden hazard of cold water shock which catches them out."

IPCC investigation 

An Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation is ongoing after Ellis' family slammed Thames Valley Police for communication failures and the force's initial refusal to let specialist divers enter the water to search for Ellis.

In May, chief constable Nikki Ross apologised for the search and admitted lacking compassion and communication with the family.

IPCC assistant commissioner Guido Liguori yesterday said it was "making good progress" hoped to identify "lessons which can be learned".

Hannah Jones, a spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police, said: "Our thoughts remain with the family of Ellis Downes and the force will continue to co-operate with the IPCC".