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| Walsall lake death: Boy, 15, was swimming with friends | Walsall lake death: Boy, 15, was swimming with friends |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A teenage boy died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a lake with friends. | A teenage boy died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a lake with friends. |
| The 15-year-old's body was recovered after emergency services went to Ryders Hayes Mear near Walsall, West Midlands. | |
| He got into difficulty at about 19:00 BST on Tuesday and was found just over an hour later. | He got into difficulty at about 19:00 BST on Tuesday and was found just over an hour later. |
| His death follows that of another teenager, Paul Lawson, 16, who died at a reservoir in Rochdale despite his mother asking him not to go in. | His death follows that of another teenager, Paul Lawson, 16, who died at a reservoir in Rochdale despite his mother asking him not to go in. |
| More updates on this story | More updates on this story |
| 'I begged him not to go in the water' | 'I begged him not to go in the water' |
| Councillor Garry Perry, from Walsall Council, said the death had "sent shockwaves" throughout the community. | Councillor Garry Perry, from Walsall Council, said the death had "sent shockwaves" throughout the community. |
| "My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to family and friends of the person affected as do those of the whole community in Pelsall," he said. | "My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to family and friends of the person affected as do those of the whole community in Pelsall," he said. |
| Police said officers were with the boy's family and their "thoughts and sympathies" were with them. | Police said officers were with the boy's family and their "thoughts and sympathies" were with them. |
| One woman, who gave her name as Tanya, told BBC WM that emergency crews had struggled to get access to the lake and locals helped open a gate at the bottom of Ryders Hayes Lane. | One woman, who gave her name as Tanya, told BBC WM that emergency crews had struggled to get access to the lake and locals helped open a gate at the bottom of Ryders Hayes Lane. |
| Paramedics then ran to the lake, arriving about 20 minutes after the boy first become distressed. | Paramedics then ran to the lake, arriving about 20 minutes after the boy first become distressed. |
| "When I got there, his friends were all crying and saying he just said he felt out of breath and tried to grab him but he went under," she said. | "When I got there, his friends were all crying and saying he just said he felt out of breath and tried to grab him but he went under," she said. |
| She said the lake was popular with youths who swam in it during the summer, despite the dangers. | She said the lake was popular with youths who swam in it during the summer, despite the dangers. |
| "It's such a long distance [to the lake] with no vehicle access," she added. | "It's such a long distance [to the lake] with no vehicle access," she added. |
| "There should be some way they can maybe get through." | "There should be some way they can maybe get through." |
| A man fishing at the time also tried to rescue the boy but could not reach him. | A man fishing at the time also tried to rescue the boy but could not reach him. |
| It is the second known death at the lake, BBC reporter Tom Turrell said, who was at the scene on Tuesday. | It is the second known death at the lake, BBC reporter Tom Turrell said, who was at the scene on Tuesday. |
| In June 2007, a 17-year-old boy fell into the water and his body was found the next day by police divers. | In June 2007, a 17-year-old boy fell into the water and his body was found the next day by police divers. |
| A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said staff on the ground searched the area for the 15-year-old on Tuesday evening, with assistance from crews in the air ambulance and police helicopter. | A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said staff on the ground searched the area for the 15-year-old on Tuesday evening, with assistance from crews in the air ambulance and police helicopter. |
| "Tragically, the boy was later recovered from the water and was confirmed dead at the scene," he said. | "Tragically, the boy was later recovered from the water and was confirmed dead at the scene," he said. |
| "Although it is very hot at the moment, the dangers of going into open water cannot be underestimated." | "Although it is very hot at the moment, the dangers of going into open water cannot be underestimated." |
| Open water swimming advice | Open water swimming advice |
| Source: National Water Safety Forum | Source: National Water Safety Forum |