Tributes laid in Sutton Park as community pays respect to Daniel Drewitt, 16, after lake tragedy

Floral tributes and a football shirt have been laid at a Birmingham beauty spot close to the area where a schoolboy died.

Flowers and a Birmingham City football shirt have been laid in an area to the side of Powell’s Pool in Sutton Park, close to the Miller & Carter restaurant in memory of Daniel Drewitt, aged 16.

Daniel got into difficulty while in the water at around 6pm on Thursday (July 10) and despite extensive rescue efforts nothing could be done to save him.

The teenager’s body was recovered shortly after 10pm.

Read more: Sutton Park lake tragedy updates as city stunned by boy's death

Daniel’s school, Colmers School & Sixth Form College in Rednal has issued a heartfelt tribute to a “young man who brought light and character to our entire school community”.

Now members of the public have been paying their respects with some 10 floral bouquets at the scene and a Blues home shirt laid on the ground.

One card said: “RIP mate. Shock to the community, Sending condolences to your family.”

Another said: “RIP. Rest Peacefully xxx.”

City leaders have offered their thoughts to Daniel’s family.

Sutton Coldfield MP, Andrew Mitchell, said: “It is an incredibly sad tragedy and my heart goes out to the family who have lost their son in such tragic circumstances.

“We will now check that the signs and safety equipment around the pool give sufficient warning of the dangers, so that the many people who visit the park are in no doubt of the risks involved.

"The very hot weather makes it very tempting but people need to be fully aware of the risks involved. It is a real tragedy."

Birmingham City Council leader, Cllr John Cotton, said: “This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the teenage boy at this extremely difficult time.

"We will continue to work closely with police and emergency services."

David Pears the Sutton Trinity city councillor, who also chairs Sutton Park Advisory committee, said: “This is terrible news and our hearts are with the family and friends of the victim of this tragedy."

Cllr Majid Mahmood, the city council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, posted online: "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."

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Passers-by also paid their respects. Jack Taylor, walking past the lake with his family’s labrador, told BirminghamLive: “It’s so horrendous. I come by here, maybe, three or four times a week.

"To hear someone, presumably very young, died here is really sad.”

The 28-year-old added: “All I can say is I just hope his family are being looked after. My condolences to them.”

Another dog walker, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s a horrible, horrible, horrible thing to happen. Life really can be too much sometimes. I’ll be praying for his loved ones today.”

While Holy Trinity Parish Church in the centre of Sutton Coldfield said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of a teenager who drowned in Powell’s Pool yesterday. We are holding his family and friends in our prayers at this tragic time.

“Church will be open during the day today and tomorrow for people who would like to come and light a candle, sit quietly in the peace of the building or write a prayer.”