This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-36864873

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Body of boy, 11, pulled from Rotherham canal was 'tombstoning' Body of boy, 11, recovered from Rotherham canal
(about 1 hour later)
An 11-year-old boy pulled from a canal in Rotherham was tombstoning off a bridge with a group of friends, firefighters have said. The body of an 11-year-old boy has been recovered from a canal in Rotherham.
Emergency services were called to the canal, off Stone Row Way, at about 19:00 BST on Thursday after reports of a child going into the water.Emergency services were called to the canal, off Stone Row Way, at about 19:00 BST on Thursday after reports of a child going into the water.
His body was found four hours later. South Yorkshire Police said: "The circumstances are under investigation".His body was found four hours later. South Yorkshire Police said: "The circumstances are under investigation".
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said it was unfortunate he was taking part. A South Yorkshire firefighter had earlier suggested the boy had been involved in "tombstoning".
Watch manager Gary Willoughby said: "This 11-year-old boy was actually taking part in a pastime that boys of his age call tombstoning. Stewart Nicholson from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a joint investigation with police into the circumstances of the boy's death "was in it's early stages".
"It's a very dangerous pastime. Unfortunately this boy lost his life. I have heard of other people that end up in wheelchairs for the rest of their life." "I think it is only right and proper that the investigation take its time.," he said.
"I'd like to send my condolences to his family at this time." "We will follow all lines of inquiry and all lines of information."
Mr Willoughby urged people to "stay away" from swimming in canals and rivers when there are no life guards. He added that reports suggested the boy was with other children at the time of the incident, but "they weren't present when we arrived".
"Unfortunately it's aptly named. It's jumping from unknown heights into unknown depths of water. Speaking earlier, fire service watch manager Gary Willoughby said the boy was taking part in tombstoning, which involves jumping or diving from height into open water.
"They tend to jump straight into the water.
"They don't assess the water temperature, they don't see if there are any dangers hidden under the water - shopping trolleys, cars, anything like that, any reeds they might get tangled in.
"They don't even assess how deep the water is before they jump."
He said he could not confirm reports if another boy was taken to hospital following the incident, behind the Parkgate shopping park.
Mr Willoughby said he was campaigning for safety measures including combination locks that can be accessed by ringing 999 along dangerous watercourses.
The boy's family has been informed and are being supported by officers, police said.
A stretch of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation canal, close to a path which crosses the canal over a metal bridge, was thought to have been the centre of the rescue operation.