EXETER, United Kingdom – A 13-year-old boy who died after jumping into a canal has been named as Delvin Musakwa, a promising Zimbabwean footballer who played for Heavitree Youth FC based in Exeter, Devon.
According to reports Delvin was pronounced dead on Monday (05 May 2025) after being pulled from the Exeter Ship Canal.
According to the police, he jumped into the waterway on Clapperbrook Lane East but did not surface. He was eventually pulled from the water before being given first aid. He was rushed to hospital in a serious condition, where he died.
Heavitree Youth FC club secretary Scott Bowker is quoted saying: “as a club we would like to say, our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and all that were a part of his life.
“He was a wonderful young man who was a popular individual amongst his peers and a talented young footballer. The news has come as a shock to all involved with Heavitree Youth FC, and he will be sorely missed by all.”
Acting Superintendent Chris Conway, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: ‘This is an awful and tragic incident, and we offer our condolences to the family, who are being supported by specialist officers.
‘We would ask that the privacy of the family is respected as they come to terms with their devastating loss.’
No parent deserve to bury their own child 😭 this is heartbreaking l feel sorry for the parents
Zvinorwadza hey… May his soul rest in peace
Rest in peace homeboy .zvarwadza
Rest in peace, young man
Zvinorwadza asi let's monitor our kids
Zvinorwadza izvi
Vafana ivava misbehave zvekuti havatsiuriki
Kutsva musana nedumbu . I feel sorry for the family. After burial serious investigation for child care anga anani imi maivepi ? Sorry shame 😳 they might face jail.
Very painful
Very sad . 😭😭Really sad . Another African child dying in waters . Not sure why but we need to teach our kids safe waters etc because there seems to be a casual approach to swimming in general . These rivers here are often still waters running deep . Few years back an African community was shattered and broken to this day after two teenagers died . One was saving the other from drowning . Again playing in what appeared to be innocent waters and yet neither could swim . RIP son .I am a parent ,my heart is bleeding too😪😪
RIP king
Devastating
RIP
This so sad 😢 MHSRIP and may Jesus grant peace and comfort to the family
aaah shame rest in peace boy
Shame Rest in peace….
Zvinorwadza hey… May his soul rest in peace
So painful
Shame 😭
Mhsrip 💔💔💔😭😭😭🙏
Shaleese-Janaae Shalz Davids