Exclusive:Sheffield teenager Muhammad Secka who died at Rother Valley was 'lovely kind boy' who was 'always smiling'
Muhammad was always smiling, never got into trouble and had a “good vibe.”
A Sheffield teenager who tragically died in the water at Rother Valley Country Park was a “lovely kind boy” who bought sweets for his younger brother and sister.
Muhammad Secka cooked meals for his family and was looking forward to going to college and becoming a doctor, according to neighbour, Sharon Wells.
Devastated pal Kelly Osayi - who set up a fundraiser in his memory - said he was always smiling, never got into trouble and had a “good vibe.”
Muhammad, aged 16, disappeared at Rother Valley Country Park on Monday. His body was recovered from the lake the following day.
Sharon Wells, posting online, said: “He was my neighbour. He was a lovely kind boy who bought sweets for his younger brother and sister out of his pocket money. Cooked meals for the family. Bought his mother jewellery.
“And so clever, he was top of his class, looking forward to going to college and wanted to become a doctor.”
Kelly, aged 17, said he set up the fundraiser to help pay for Muhammad’s memorial and funeral and to raise awareness of the dangers of open water.
He said he lived in the Kelham Island area until recently and attended Sheffield Park Academy.
He was loved by many people and his death “still doesn’t feel real for most of us,” he added.
Speaking to The Star, he said young people on a group chat were trying to come to terms with the tragedy. They were also going over what had happened at Rother Valley.
Kelly said: “Muhammad always used to smile, everyone liked him.
“People are consoling each other, some people can’t believe it, some people are accepting that God took him for a reason. Everyone is grieving and they are still trying to find out what happened.
“He was with a group of friends and they were splashing each other when he disappeared under the water.
“When I heard what had happened, I just broke down.”
Police have not yet formally identified the victim.