A teenager has died after jumping into a canal in Exeter.
The alarm was raised after the boy, 13, didn’t resurface after plunging into the waterway on Clapperbrook Lane East.
The emergency services arrived at the scene at about 4.35pm yesterday after concerns for the child.
The boy had ‘failed to surface after jumping into the water,’ the police said.
He was pulled from the water and rushed to the hospital in a serious condition, where he later died.
His next of kin have been informed of the death, which is not being treated as suspicious.
One eyewitness said he saw ‘all the emergency services race past Marsh Barton and the air ambulance above.’
Acting Superintendent Chris Conway, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: ‘This is an awful and tragic incident, and we offer our condolences to the family, who are being supported by specialist officers.
‘We would ask that the privacy of the family is respected as they come to terms with their devastating loss.’
People reacted to the news of the boy’s death, with one saying it is an ‘unbelievably sad situation.’
One man who said he knew the boy said it is ‘heartbreaking to hear, he was the most happiest kid I know.’
Another wrote: ‘So very sad.
‘My heart goes out to the child’s family and friends, also to all involved in the rescue and witnesses to such a tragic incident.’
One person said: ‘Oh how very sad! The water is extremely cold still, a very sad loss.’
The coroner will look into the circumstances that led to his death.
The incident happened along the Exeter Ship Canal, which runs parallel to the River Exe through southern parts of the city and the Riverside Valley Park, a popular spot for walking, cycling and running.
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