Everything we know about tragic death of 14-year-old schoolboy after incident at Chesterfield Canal

Fourteen-year-old Logan Folger died at Sheffield Children’s Hospital on Saturday, August 21, after being rescued from the waterway at Mill Green, Staveley, by emergency teams last Wednesday.

This is everything we know so far about the tragedy.

What happened

Firefighters from Staveley – along with paramedics, the air ambulance and police – attended Mill Green in the town after receiving ‘reports of a person in difficulty in the water’ on Wednesday, August 18.

On arrival, fire crews entered the water to rescue one male casualty who appeared to have become trapped under the water and delivered first aid support before handing the casualty over to East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS).

A spokesperson for EMAS said: “We sent a number of resources including four paramedics in four ambulance cars, a crewed ambulance, our Hazardous Area Response Team, a doctor and the air ambulance was also in attendance.

“We transported one patient to Chesterfield Royal Hospital.”

In an update on Monday, Derbyshire police said: “On Saturday 21 August the boy, who has been named as Logan Folger, sadly died in hospital.

"Our thoughts are with Logan’s family and friends at this time.”

When did it happen

East Midlands Ambulance Service received a call at 4.39pm on Wednesday to Staveley, with the caller reporting a ‘medical emergency’.

Crews from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service arrived to the scene at 4.45pm, closely followed by Derbyshire Constabulary who were alerted to the incident at 4.50pm.

Who is the boy

He has been named as Logan David Charles Folger, of Bird Street, Staveley.

Tributes

Heartfelt tributes have been pouring in for Logan and his family following the tragedy.

Briteney Poole said he was a ‘legend’.

“From been a young lad you’ve always had an heart of gold Loagy,” she posted on Facebook.

"I can’t believe this and what I’m writing. Thinking of every single one of you.

"What a lad. What a legend you truly are. You will be missed by us all. Heart of gold you boyo.

"Life is so horrible always takes the wrong ones. Rest easy Logan.

“May the angels lead you home. Let’s turn Facebook blue for this little hero."

Aidan Carey posted: “R.I.P brother, can’t believe you’ve gone this early.”

Ilona Brown posted: “So brave. What a hero, how proud his parents must be. Well done lad.”

Inquest

Opening an inquest into Logan’s death this afternoon (August 23), Derbyshire coroner Peter Nieto said the initial circumstances reported by police is that the 14-year-old was swimming with two friends in the canal at Staveley.

He added: “One of his friends got into difficulty, and Logan and the other friend went to assist but Logan got into difficulty himself.”

The coroner said police enquiries were ongoing.

"There are no apparent suspicious circumstances and this appears to have been a tragic accident of three friends swimming in the canal,” Mr Nieto said.

Remembrance event

Troy Betts said an event was being organised on Friday in Logan’s honour and said he wanted it to be a ‘big send off’ for ‘hero’ Logan who had ‘saved a life to lose his own’.

It will be at Hollingwood Top Field on Friday, August 27 at 2pm.

"If you’re coming show nothing but love if you can’t to do then don’t come,” he said.

"Try to all bring your balloons, blue smoke bombs, anything as long as you’re only there for Logan. It’s all that matters.”

What happens next

Police said: “We do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances, and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”

Derbyshire coroner Peter Nieto has adjourned the hearing into Logan’s death until November 15.

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