Major search ends in tragedy after boy, 17, pulled from lake

A search for a missing teenage boy in Staffordshire has ended in tragedy, with police confirming they have recovered a body. Three people, all said to be young men, fell in the lake late last night (February 24).

Police, paramedics, firefighters, and aerial search teams all descended on Rudyard Lake, near Leek, after the boys were reported to have fallen in the water, around 9.30pm. Two boys were rescued and taken to hospital, but the third remained missing.

Volunteers from the Staffordshire and Cheshire Search and Rescue Teams worked through the night and into the next day to try and find the young lad, using the local sailing club as a base. The Stoke Sentinel reported that, throughout today, boats were sent out into the water, hoping to find the missing teenager.

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Staffordshire Police have now confirmed that a body has been recovered.

A police spokesman said: "This afternoon, just after 5pm, we sadly recovered the body of a 17-year-old boy. We have deployed specialist officers to support his family at this deeply traumatic time. His death isn’t being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner."

Senior officers in the Moorlands have branded it 'a tragic case' which will no doubt hit the community hard.

Chief Inspector Mark Barlow, commander of the Moorlands Local Policing Team, said: "Our thoughts and condolences are very much with the boy’s family at this distressing time.

"A large number of officers and emergency service personnel have been working around the clock and through the night since this was first reported to us. I’d like to thank the members of the public who respected the cordon and avoided the area