Teenager who drowned on Duke of Edinburgh trip was ‘kind and left an immeasurable void’

Tributes have been paid to a ‘kind’ student who drowned in a Welsh river on a Duke of Edinburgh camping trip

Umar Dumbuya, 18, from east London, was with students on the trip to Powys, Wales when he got into difficulty in the River Wye on June 30.

Mountain rescue volunteers, firefighters and National Police Air Service joined in the search for the missing teenager who vanished in water by the Glasbury Bridge.

His friends were seen being consoled nearby at Glasbury Scout Hut as the search continued.

His body was pulled from a body of water shortly after just one of more than a dozen children drowning during the last UK heatwave.

A friend posted on TikTok: ‘He was one of the kindest and purest people I knew. We met last year in September through calisthenics where we quickly became partners. Partners then became boys and I considered Umar to be one of my closest friends.

‘He motivated me to be a better person and to never give up. I last saw him last Wednesday and we spent the whole day together training and playing football.

‘It was only last Friday that we were chatting about our future but I never in a million years thought that would be our last conversation.’

A statement from Leyton Sixth Form said: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking loss of a much-loved student who tragically passed away in a sudden accident.

‘Umar will be remembered for their kindness, warmth, and the positive impact he had on his family, friends, classmates, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing them. Umar’s loss has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of all who loved them.

They added: ‘With the permission of the family, during this incredibly difficult time, we are raising funds to help support them with funeral expenses and other unexpected costs, allowing them the time and space to grieve without additional financial burden.’

Dyfed-Powys Police said: ‘A male had entered the water and could not be located’ at Glasbury, Powys, on Tuesday at 6.30pm.

‘Our thoughts are with the young person’s family, together with all those who were taking part,’ a DofE spokeswoman said.

‘We will do everything we can to support them at this difficult time.’

The DofE said it was ‘liaising closely with the young person’s college and relevant authorities to understand how this tragic incident happened’.

To donate to Umar’s GoFundMe click here.

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