Daniel Holden was tragically found following an underwater search
An investigation into the death of a much-loved son and talented rugby player has been unable to determine how or when he ended up in a reservoir.
The body of Daniel Holden, 19, was tragically recovered from Lower Rivington Reservoir on Sunday, August 31. It followed an number of appeals to trace him and huge underwater police search of the area.
The urgent search had been launched after Daniel, from Bolton, had last been seen in the area of the reservoir two days earlier, at 9pm on August 29. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A short inquest held on Wednesday (December 3) at Preston Coroners’ Court heard that it wasn’t possible to determine how or when Daniel entered the water. Assistant Coroner Richard Taylor returned a narrative conclusion, LancsLive reports.
He said: “Daniel Thomas Holden was found dead in Lower Rivington Reservoir on the 31st of August 2025 although how or when he entered the water could not be ascertained.”
After Daniel was found in the reservoir, touching tributes were shared by Horwich RMI Amateur Football Club, who Daniel had played for, and by Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club.
The rugby club said Daniel was a ‘much-loved current senior player’ and paid tribute to a ‘fantastic character’ who was ‘full of life, laughter and positivity’.
Friends also organised a fundraising appeal to hold a balloon release tribute in Daniel’s memory. The appeal was arranged by close friend Skye Leigh. Following his death, heartfelt tributes were paid across social media describing the teenager as ‘the nicest person’ who will ‘never be forgotten’.
