25 February 2024 , 19:20
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Police have confirmed the body of a missing teenager was recovered from a Staffordshire late this afternoon.
A 17-year-old boy, who has not been named, was found dead in Rudyard Lake at around 5pm today. A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said that officers were now providing support for the teenager's family following the tragedy.
The force does not believe that the death is suspicious and a report is being made for a Coroner. "We have deployed specialist officers to support his family at this deeply traumatic time," said police in a statement. "His death isn’t being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner."
Chief Inspector Mark Barlow, from the Moorlands local policing team, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are very much with the boy’s family at this distressing time.
Police at the scene (Tom Maddick / SWNS)“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 whilst we worked at the scene.
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“This is a tragic case and one which I know will cause a great deal of sorrow in the local community. Our priority now is about making sure we can do everything possible to support the boy’s family.”
An image of the search of the water (Tom Maddick / SWNS)An earlier statement from the police said that three teens were seen in Rudyard Lake and while two were able to get out, a search was carried out for the other 17-year-old. It read: "A large number of emergency services are currently at Rudyard Lake following reports that three people fell in. We got a call shortly after 9.30pm last night (24 February) that three young men, believed to be about 17-years-old, were spotted in the water.
"Two of them managed to get out and were assessed by paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service. They have both been taken to hospital. Specialist search teams are currently in the area alongside colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Our colleagues from the National Police Air Service also helped with the searches yesterday.
"The third young man is still unaccounted for. We are advising the public to avoid the area where possible whilst we continue to work at the scene."