The 14-year-old who drowned this week in the Thames at Hampton has been named as Brian Sasu.

Brian's parents say the youngster appears to have gone to the river with his friends to cool off after his school closed early due to the record high temperatures on Monday.

They have warned other parents to keep their children away from the Thames to prevent further tragedy and heartbreak.

The teenager attended St Marks Roman Catholic School, where friends and classmates have been devastated by the tragedy.

The youngster's devastated father, George Sasu told MailOnline: "Brian could not swim, he hated being in the water.

"We are all devastated, this is like a nightmare. At the moment, we are waiting to hear more details from the police. This is a very difficult time for us."

Mr Sasu revealed that he last had contact with Brian at around 2.30pm on Monday but that he did not tell him he was going swimming to the Thames with friends.

advertisement

"Brian didn't tell me anything. He just said I'm hanging out with some friends because their school had finished early. If he had told me he was going swimming then I would not have allowed him to go because I know he can't swim," he said.

"That's probably why he didn't tell me what he was doing. I think Brian getting into the water was because of the heat and peer pressure. And it's led to this terrible tragedy."

Brian's mother, Leticia, said: 'I haven't been able to sleep or eat since this incident. My son just had some basic swimming lessons when he was at primary school but never enjoyed them and never learnt to swim properly.

"I'm not able to think straight and this whole thing has left me, and the family crushed."

The family warned other parents that they should be aware of the dangers of their children going swimming during the heatwave.

Mr Sasu said: 'It's very hot at the moment and a lot of youngsters just want to play in the water to cool off. But I wouldn't want any other family to experience what we are going through.

"'Parents and children need to be aware of the dangers of swimming in open water where there are no life guards or reduce facilities. And if there any youngsters like my son Brian who can't swim at all, then please, keep away from the water."

Brian, had two siblings, a sister aged 17 and younger brother.

advertisement

A classmate, who did not want to be named said: "The whole school is in shock and we were told to pray for Brian and his family. This has hit us all hard.

"Brian was a very popular pupil, always laughing and joking and nobody has a bad word to say about him. A lot of his classmates have been crying and are very upset by what's happened."