The heartbroken family of 13-year-old Ryan Evans, who drowned in a lake on one of the hottest days of the year, have paid tribute to their much-loved son.
Divers pulled Ryans body from Westport Lake in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, after he and three friends were spotted in distress.
Two boys, aged 12 and 13, made it safely out of the lake and were not injured after taking a dip during the heatwave on Monday.
Specialist teams spent three days searching for Ryan and his body was recovered on Wednesday evening after a 50 hour search.
His family have now thanked police and the local community for their efforts in helping find Ryan and are warning people about the dangers of swimming in open water.
In a statement issued by Staffordshire Police, his family said: Ryan was our world and was very much loved. We are all heart-broken and Ryan will be greatly missed.
Wed like to thank everyone for their efforts in helping to find Ryan; the diving teams, Staffordshire Police and anyone else who was involved in the search. We are so grateful to everyone.
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Thank you to all of Ryans friends, the staff and pupils from Haywood Academy and members of the public who have been in touch with the family.
Your messages and condolences have given us great comfort at this very difficult time.
We are also overwhelmed by the kind donations and offers of help from everyone.
We just cannot emphasise enough the dangers of swimming in open water, especially where young children are concerned.
Our message is simple, please dont do it.
Staffordshire Police, Fire and Rescue, and West Midlands Ambulance service took part in the search for Ryan, which began when the alarm was raised at 5pm on Monday.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said previously: We are sad to confirm that the body of Ryan Evans, 13, has been recovered this evening from Westport Lake, in Stoke-on-Trent, following an extensive search by emergency services and underwater teams.
Ryans family have been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this very difficult time. His family and friends, who were at the lake with him on Monday, are being supported by police family liaison officers.
Haywood Academy, where Ryan was a pupil, said in a statement: Following an extensive search operation we are aware that Ryan has been found and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
Professional support will continue to be available to both our students and staff and is accessible by contacting any member of our team at Haywood Academy.
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FIshermen who used the lake believe Ryan may have been dragged under by giant underwater reeds.
One said: Kids will jump into the water and go for a swim but the problem occurs when they stop swimming.
At that moment when their legs dip down – they can be wrapped in the reeds.
These reeds are about 6ft long and are really difficult to break free from if they wrap around you. They act like giant ropes dragging you down.
Councillor Ann James, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City council, said she could not begin to imagine what his family were going through.
She said: Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to Ryans family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
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