Mourners in blue for tragic teenager Thando
MOURNERS lined the streets yesterday in memory of a Derby teenager who drowned in the River Trent.
Thandolwethu Ndlovu – known as Thando – died after getting into difficulty in the river near Swarkestone Bridge in July.
The 15-year-old’s funeral took place at St Martin’s Church, in
Allenton, yesterday morning.
Dozens of people attended to pay their respects after blue ribbons were put up in Chellaston Road and Derby Road in recognition of Thando’s love for Chelsea Football Club.
A procession had been planned through the streets of Chellaston before the service.
Pall bearers carried his coffin, draped in Chelsea’s colours and bearing the club’s emblem into St Martin’s Church. Many of the mourners were also wearing Chelsea’s blue and white colours.
Following his death, Chellaston Academy pupil Thando’s family described him as the “most amazing, happy child”.
Dozens of floral and written tributes were left next to the spot where he was playing in the River Trent before he disappeared on Tuesday, July 20.
A large search and rescue operation took place. Thando’s body was found near Swarkestone Bridge the next day.