Body of teenage boy is found in lake after huge search operation

The body of a teenage boy has been found in a lake after a huge search operation in Birmingham. 

The tragic discovery was made at a pool in Sutton Park after the boy got in to trouble and went missing in the water just after 6pm on Thursday.

A local community group said fishermen had attempted to save the boy and jumped in the water but despite their efforts, they were unable to find him.  

Emergency services descended on Powell's Pool, a large body of water on the edge of the park near the Boldmere area of Sutton Coldfield at around 9pm following reports a boy had gone missing. 

Boat crews were seen on the water and the emergency services continued to work after dark, using torches to search the pool, BirminghamLive reported. 

West Midlands Police are supporting the family of the boy at this difficult time and were not treating the death as suspicious. 

The police said: 'Specialist teams were deployed from fire and rescue, ambulance colleagues and Birmingham City Council colleagues. 

'Sadly this has resulted in the boy's body being found and our thoughts are with his family at this time.' 

On Thursday boat crews were seen on the water and the emergency services continued to work after dark, using torches to search the pool, BirminghamLive reported. 

The Our Sutton Park community group said a brave fisherman jumped into the lake to try and save the boy.

They wrote on Facebook: 'Our Sutton Park and its members would like to send our deepest condolences to the parents of the young boy who tragically drowned while swimming in Powell's Pool yesterday.

'We are truly grateful for the brave and selfless efforts of the fishermen who immediately jumped into the lake to save him.

'I'm sorry we could not find him. Our thoughts are with the boy's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.'

One resident replied: 'Thoughts are with his family it is a very dangerous lake I fish it and the weed and the silt is very dangerous.'

Birmingham city councillor Majid Mahmood said: 'I am deeply saddened of the tragic incident.

'There are no words strong enough to convey the heartbreak felt in the wake of this devastating loss.

'I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones. My thoughts are with them during this unimaginable time.'

Sutton Park, in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands covers 2,400 acres and is one of largest urban parks in Europe and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: 'Shortly after 6pm on Thursday 10 July, we responded to reports of a missing teenage boy, who was last seen in a body of water at Sutton Park.

'Five fire engines and our specialist Technical Rescue Unit responded, crewed by firefighters from Aston, Sheldon, Woodgate Valley, Sutton Coldfield and Bickenhill fire stations.

'We worked closely with police and ambulance colleagues throughout the incident but very sadly, after a thorough search, the boy's body was recovered from the water by firefighters.

'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the wider community at this deeply tragic time.'