Man, 19, remembered at funeral after lake tragedy
SuppliedHundreds of people have gathered for the funeral of a 19-year-old man who died after getting into difficulty in a lake in Nottinghamshire.
Panashe Muchenje was with friends when he went swimming in Balderton Lake, off Heron Way in New Balderton, near Newark, on 28 May during the hot weather.
Panashe was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital. Two days later, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed he had not survived.
At the funeral, his father, Nomore Muchenje, said Panashe was "full of compassion", adding he was "honoured to have had him as a son".
He said the family had been supported by churches around the UK.
Panashe, from Hucknall, was remembered by loved ones with songs and words during his funeral, which was held in Bulwell.
Tendai Mupeta, a former church youth leader of Panashe at Apostolic Faith Mission, in Nottingham, said he was "such a lovely boy".
"He was always so helpful. If we had youth [club], he would always call me "Tendai, what do we need to do, what do you need help with? Is it setting up chairs? Do we need to give someone a lift?' He was always so bubbly."
She added: "We're really at a loss. His absence is going to be felt. He's the type of person that you walk in a room and everyone would just light up because of the joy that he brings to people. It's a real big shame and he will be missed."
His nephew, Maxwell Muchenje, told BBC Radio Nottingham: "Panashe is a great love to our family and community.
"He was a loveable person, everybody liked him, people got along with him."
Panashe was studying at Nottingham College and in the process of applying to join the RAF.
After announcing Panashe's death, Nottinghamshire Police said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a file would be prepared for the coroner.
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