A TEENAGER who got into difficulties while swimming in a Nazeing lake has died in hospital.

Lawrence Patnell, 18, sunk to the bottom of a lagoon close to Broxbourne Sailing Club in Meadgate Road on Sunday, May 23 just before 5pm.

Despite the best efforts of rescuers who pulled him from the water, he was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition where he remained until he lost his fight for life late on Thursday afternoon (May 27), it has now been confirmed.

Tributes have been pouring in for the popular teenager, from Harlow, who many knew as 'Loz'.

Nearly 500 people have signed up to an internet page established in his memory on social networking site Facebook.

One wrote: "Can't believe this world can be so cruel. You didn't deserve to go. Loz u was one in a million".

Another friend said: "Can't believe you're gone mate, so many good times at school...they were such good times and so many laughs.

"I still can't come to terms with it! RIP Mate".

The teenager was lying about 15 feet underwater when he was pulled to the surface by windsurfing instructor Martin Wood.

A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said he also had a cardiac arrest at the scene.

The incident happened just weeks after thieves stole four engines from a set of emergency rescue boats at the shoreline at the neighbouring Enfield Scout Sailing Club, leaving the group to get by only with less-powerful and slower vessels.

Club principal Marion Caslake said the club was "very sad" to hear of the death and that it showed the importance of having properly equipped rescue boats.

She added: "Without safety boats then you just can't operate.

"It's so important that we have these safety boats in case there are any problems".

Meanwhile the club say they have yet to obtain money from their insurers to replace the engines, which have been valued at an estimated £20,000.

Martin Wood, the windsurfing instructor who dived in and pulled Lawrence from the lake bed, said he was very upset at the news.

He said: "It's big a shame when you consider he was such a young lad.

"It is a mystery what happened. I've heard he was a strong swimmer and he was only about 20ft from the edge."

An inquest into the death is expected to be held later this year to establish exactly what happened.