Drowned boy 'may have been killed by bullies'

A boy who drowned in the shallow end of a pool during a school swimming lesson may have been killed by bullies, his parents believe.

Nathan Matthews, 11, described as a "strong swimmer" died yesterday at the pool in Thame, Oxfordshire, during the lesson organised by Stokenchurch Middle School in Buckinghamshire.

But his parents claim he had been the victim of prolonged bullying and say he may have been held under the water.

Nathan had been harassed so badly by bullies his parents, Terry and Penny, were forced to take him off the school bus and drive him to lessons, they said.

Mr Matthews, a 39-year-old builder, added: "We have been told the authorities believe Nathan may have been held under the water. It seems he had no vital signs when they got him out of the water. That suggests he had been in the water for a long time.

"Either he had been physically held underwater, or there was some sort of problem with his heart, which caused him to stop breathing."

His wife, 34, said: "Nathan enjoyed sport so much we built a small swimming pool in our back garden."

Stokenchurch Middle School head teacher Andrew White said: "It is too early to tell why this happened." Thames Valley Police are investigating and a post-mortem examination will take place tomorrow.