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Westport Lake search for boy, 13, resumes in Stoke-on-Trent | Westport Lake search for boy, 13, resumes in Stoke-on-Trent |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police divers are continuing an underwater search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing at a lake in Staffordshire. | |
Three boys were spotted "in distress" at Westport Lake in Stoke-on-Trent at about 16:50 BST on Monday. | |
Two of them made it safely out of the lake but one, named by police as Ryan Evans, is still missing. | |
The search was called off at 23:00 BST on Monday due to fading light and resumed at about 08:00 BST on Tuesday. | |
Nottinghamshire Police are using a specialist dive team to search under the water. | |
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's water rescue team is carrying out a waded search in the shallower water. A West Midlands Ambulance Service team is searching along the banks of the lake. | |
Midlands Live: Burst main sends water shooting into air; Factory destroyed in blaze | |
Ch Insp John Owen, of Staffordshire Police, said teams would 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." |
Ryan's school, the city's Haywood Academy, said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the current situation." | |
A school spokeswoman added: "During this difficult period we have made sure that professional support is in place for students to access." | |
You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
Stoke-on-Trent City Council said, at its deepest, the lake was 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 (RoSPA) 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 |