Teen athlete Lachlan 'Lochie' Haining dies after being pulled from a backyard pool in second tragedy to rock school - just a week after 'Rocket Man' science teacher died in horror accident

Lachlan Haining, 18, was pulled from a backyard poolPolice say it may have been the result of a medical episodeGraduated Year 12 in 2023, double tragedy for his school READ MORE: Science teacher known as 'Rocket Man' is killed in tragic accident

An 18-year-old who died after being pulled from a backyard swimming pool has been remembered as a talented runner who competed in national championships.

Lachlan ‘Lochie’ Haining was at a property on Yolanda Street in Albion Park, near Wollongong, at about 2.15pm on Thursday when he entered the pool using a slide and lost consciousness.

A family member pulled the teenager from the water and called an ambulance but he died at the scene.

NSW Police confirmed on Monday that his death could have been the result of a  medical episode, rather than drowning.

Loved ones and community groups flooded social media over the weekend with photos and tributes to Mr Haining, who graduated Year 12 from St Joseph’s Catholic High School at the end of last year.

Mr Haining’s death is the second in the school’s community this year, after science teacher Leigh Lemmon died when he was pulled from the Yowaka River in Nethercote, on the NSW south coast, on January 4.

Lachlan ‘Lochie’ Haining (pictured) died after 2.15pm on Thursday when he was pulled from a backyard pool

Mr Haining was a talented athlete who had only recently graduated Year 12

The school issued a tribute to him on Friday, remembering him as an ‘exceptional young man’ with a passion for running and training.

‘His love for running extended beyond his own training, he was heavily involved in community running groups,’ the post read.

Mr Lemming’s wife Carmen commented on the post, saying she was sure her husband would ‘wrap his arms’ around the teenager.

‘My condolences to Lochies family, this is such heartbreaking news,’ she wrote.

‘I’m very sure Lochie and Leigh would have shared words over their times at St Joseph’s. And I’m very confident Leigh will wrap his arm around his shoulder and protect him.’

Mr Haining’s mother Jenny, who has two younger children, responded to Ms Lemmon: ‘Thank you for such kind words.’

‘I’m sure you are in the middle of being broken too. Lochie talked about Leigh … I’m so sorry for your loss too.’

A group called Kembla Joggers described Mr Haining as a ‘talented athlete’ who was a ‘role model to younger juniors’.

‘Lochie has been a valued member of Kembla Joggers since 2015 and through that time we saw his innate natural running ability emerge,’ the post said.

‘Lochie represented the club, school and region with distinction at multiple state and national championships.’

Lachlan Haining was a talented runner who competed in national championships

Lachlan Haining was remembered as a ‘beautiful soul’ who will be sorely missed

Another group called Shellharbour Parkrun said Mr Haining completed 49 events between 2015 and 2023, and won five.

Others said Mr Haining was a ‘beautiful soul’ who will be sorely missed.

One of Mr Haining’s former teachers set up a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for his family.

‘He was a caring and enthusiastic young man who I will always remember and care about,’ it said.

‘His fundraiser is to make this tragedy that little bit easier for his beautiful family to deal with. We will always love you Lochie.’

Records indicate the swimming pool was a relatively recent addition to the property, with the development proposal for an inground concrete pool and deck approved by the local council in 2022.

Following the tragedy on Thursday, officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District  established a crime scene.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The tragedy came in the wake Mr Lemmon’s death on January 4, when he entered the Yowaka River and began to struggle in the current.

There was an outpouring of grief following the sudden death of Leigh Lemmon (pictured) on January 4

Students and colleagues paid tribute to the man known for his exceptional’ experiments’ who garnered the nicknames Rocket Man and the Quantum Navigator

The 53-year-old’s body was pulled from the water by emergency service workers and despite their desperate efforts, he could not be revived.

A family friend said his death was ‘an absolute shock and something for which no one could ever imagine or be prepared for’.

Students and colleagues paid tribute to the man known for his exceptional’ experiments’ who garnered the nicknames Rocket Man and the Quantum Navigator.