Noah Woods cops situation replace on his loss of life after ‘most tragic of circumstances’
Suffolk Constabulary have issued an update following the death of three-year-old Noah Woods after formal identification of a body found in a pond yesterday has taken place
Police who searched for missing Noah Woods have issued a new statement after formal identification of a body found in a pond in Brantham has been formally identified.
The body of a child found in Decoy Pond in Brantham yesterday afternoon (September 16), following searches for a missing boy, has tragically been identified as Noah Woods.
Noah, aged three, was reported missing on the Tuesday afternoon (September 15), when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close. The toddler was reported to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards the new-build housing estate and Decoy Pond.
Police have issued an update following the tragic death of Noah Woods(Image: Suffolk Police / SWNS)
A large-scale missing person investigation was launched involving specialist police search teams, assisted by emergency services colleagues from HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service and the Metropolitan Police Dive Team, along with volunteers from SULSAR (Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue).
Further support was provided by the East of England Ambulance Service – including Suffolk HART – and the Environment Agency. The missing person’s appeal saw a huge community response of approximately 1,300 members of the public who assisted with the search for Noah.
Sadly, hope on finding Noah was lost when officers from the Metropolitan Police Dive Team recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond yesterday afternoon.
Tributes have been left close to the area where Noah went missing (Image: Humphrey Nemar.)
Suffolk Constabulary said: “Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the child has been formally identified as Noah Woods, aged three, from Brantham.
“Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious but police still have a number of enquiries to complete before submitting a file for the Coroner.”
Superintendent Tom Pearse said: “I want to once again extend our thoughts and deepest sympathy to Noah’s family and thank them for their patience and understanding throughout the searches.
Noah was last seen in a playground before he disappeared (Image: Suffolk Police / SWNS)
“It was clear from the media coverage we saw that they not only had all of Suffolk behind them, but an outpouring of goodwill from across the entire country and beyond.
“I know how grateful Noah’s family are for all the support and kind messages they have received, but would reiterate our plea to now allow them the time, space and privacy they need at this deeply distressing time.
“I would like to express my thanks again to everyone that provided help and support over an intense 24-hour period of the search. This includes all of our officers and staff, along with the numerous emergency services colleagues and volunteers from SULSAR.
Superintendent Tom Pearse praised members of the public for their help with the search (Image: Will Colebourne/PA Wire)
“Finally, I cannot pay tribute enough to the response from the local community and people who travelled from further afield to assist with the search for Noah.
“Help was provided in a number of ways – the vast majority were out searching the village and surrounding area, but there were also people coordinating the volunteers, along with those who ensured the facilities were available and open, while others provided food and drink or directed traffic.
“This was a case where the people of Suffolk rallied together and showed the county at its best in what transpired to be the most tragic of circumstances.”
