Teenager who died after leaping into freezing water was ‘deserted’ by police

A 15-year-old boy who died after he leapt into freezing water to keep away from being arrested was deserted by cops, an inquest heard. 

Marcel Wochna, who was scared he would get into hassle together with his mom, was discovered a day after leaping into the water in November 2021.

His physique was floating two-and-a-half miles upriver from the place the incident befell. 

Police first found Marcel trespassing on a ship and tried to handcuff him however he resisted and leapt into the water as an alternative, Winchester Coroner’s Court heard. 

Marcel’s good friend, who can’t be named for authorized causes, mentioned he had been just lately grounded by his mum and was scared of moving into hassle if he was arrested.

He mentioned he heard Marcel “gasp of shock from how cold the water was”. 

Marcel Wochna was scared he would get into hassle together with his mom so made the deadly leap to keep away from police.

While Marcel was left alone within the river, his good friend was handcuffed and escorted away from the scene by police, the inquest heard.

The pair had met in Southampton within the night of November 7, 2021, to “smoke” and had walked round earlier than lastly arriving at Cobden Bridge.

The pair boarded quite a lot of boats moored close by, Marcel’s good friend instructed the inquest. 

He mentioned: “We were just having a laugh. [We were] curious to look in them and to see what they look like inside.”

People close by tried to telephone the police so the 2 of them hid on a ship moored subsequent to a pontoon by Cobden Bridge earlier than two police officer walked onto it.

Marcel was mentioned to be respiration closely and instructed his good friend: “If that’s feds I am going to jump in and get away.”

The good friend instructed the inquest: “I genuinely thought he was joking because he said a lot of stuff like that before.”

Marcel was grabbed by one of many officers who tried to handcuff him, however the teenager resisted. 

“He kept saying, ‘I cant to this, I can’t do this. I can’t do this to my mum again’”, mentioned the good friend.

“The officer was trying to get hold of his other hand. I just remember at the time, he was grounded. He said ‘I don’t want to get in trouble with my mum’.’

The inquest heard that Marcel told an officer: “I’m not letting you arrest me.”

Marcel’s friend said: “He leapt into the water … I keep in mind a splash and an enormous gasp. He jumped ahead.

“I just remember hearing a splash and a lot of gasping because it was really cold that night.”

Coroner Jason Pegg requested the witness if the officer had checked if Marcel was alright, and he responded: “Not in any way. They were more focused on asking what I had on me.”

According to the witness, the 2 officers walked again to the automobile and sought backup, leaving Marcel alone within the water.

The inquest continues.