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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-44611454
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Westport Lake search for boy, 13, resumes in Stoke-on-Trent | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing at a lake in Staffordshire on Monday is ongoing. | The search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing at a lake in Staffordshire on Monday is ongoing. |
| Three boys were spotted "in distress" at Westport Lake in Stoke-on-Trent at about 16:50 BST. | Three boys were spotted "in distress" at Westport Lake in Stoke-on-Trent at about 16:50 BST. |
| Two of them, aged 12 and 13, made it safely out of the lake but one, named by police as Ryan Evans, is still missing. | Two of them, aged 12 and 13, made it safely out of the lake but one, named by police as Ryan Evans, is still missing. |
| Staffordshire Police said officers know the identities of the children and are in contact with their families. | Staffordshire Police said officers know the identities of the children and are in contact with their families. |
| The search was called off at 23:00 due to fading light and resumed at about 08:00 on Tuesday. | The search was called off at 23:00 due to fading light and resumed at about 08:00 on Tuesday. |
| The scene remains behind a cordon and police said they are unable to put a timescale on how long the search will last. | The scene remains behind a cordon and police said they are unable to put a timescale on how long the search will last. |
| Ch Insp John Owen, from Staffordshire Police, said teams will be "systematically" searching the lake. | Ch Insp John Owen, from Staffordshire Police, said teams will be "systematically" searching the lake. |
| He said: "It is very difficult for us all. We are fathers, we are mothers - this impacts on us, this impacts on the local area and we are doing all we can just to work with that family to reassure them and give them any type of comfort." | He said: "It is very difficult for us all. We are fathers, we are mothers - this impacts on us, this impacts on the local area and we are doing all we can just to work with that family to reassure them and give them any type of comfort." |
| At the scene | At the scene |
| BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz | BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz |
| Normally on a sunny morning Westport Lake would be buzzing with dog walkers and joggers, but because of police cordons and ongoing searches there is a real sombre mood. | Normally on a sunny morning Westport Lake would be buzzing with dog walkers and joggers, but because of police cordons and ongoing searches there is a real sombre mood. |
| Just looking out across the lake, there are four people on the search boat and a red inflatable raft over in the distance. | Just looking out across the lake, there are four people on the search boat and a red inflatable raft over in the distance. |
| One person is leaning over the front, just scouring the water for any signs of the missing boy. | One person is leaning over the front, just scouring the water for any signs of the missing boy. |
| A fire truck arrived and was driven around the edge of the lake, making its way to where the search area is really focusing its efforts. | A fire truck arrived and was driven around the edge of the lake, making its way to where the search area is really focusing its efforts. |
| The search could go on for some time. | The search could go on for some time. |
| Liana Gilbride said her daughter was due to meet friends at the lake on Monday but did not arrive until after the emergency services were already at the scene. | Liana Gilbride said her daughter was due to meet friends at the lake on Monday but did not arrive until after the emergency services were already at the scene. |
| She said: "My daughter was distressed when she rang me to tell me. Everybody is devastated and praying for a miracle." | She said: "My daughter was distressed when she rang me to tell me. Everybody is devastated and praying for a miracle." |
| Nottinghamshire Police are using a specialist dive team to search under the water, while Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's water rescue team carry out a waded search in the shallower water and West Midlands Ambulance Service use a specialist team to search along the banks of the lake. | Nottinghamshire Police are using a specialist dive team to search under the water, while Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's water rescue team carry out a waded search in the shallower water and West Midlands Ambulance Service use a specialist team to search along the banks of the lake. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| Stoke on Trent City Council said, at its deepest, the lake is 2.9m (9.5ft) and on average between 1.5m and 2m (4.9-6.5ft). | Stoke on Trent City Council said, at its deepest, the lake is 2.9m (9.5ft) and on average between 1.5m and 2m (4.9-6.5ft). |
| The body of water sits above the old Brownhills Colliery and was formed in 1884, when the workings hit the water table, flooding the tunnels and ground above. | The body of water sits above the old Brownhills Colliery and was formed in 1884, when the workings hit the water table, flooding the tunnels and ground above. |
| The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned that children and young people should be aware of the dangers of entering cold water. | The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned that children and young people should be aware of the dangers of entering cold water. |
| Open water swimming advice | Open water swimming advice |
| Source: National Water Safety Forum | Source: National Water Safety Forum |