Boy, 8, dies after ‘falling into river’ and drowning as cops issue statement on ‘devastating’ tragedy

AN eight-year-old boy has died after he was pulled from a Warwickshire river.

Joshua Hillstead, from Maypole, Birmingham, was pronounced dead following complications resulting from drowning after being pulled from the River Arrow in Alcester.

On the evening of July 22 at around 9:30pm, Warwickshire Police were called to a report of a young child who had fallen into the river behind Kingfisher Way in Alcester.

Police, fire, and ambulance services were in attendance.

The boy was pulled from the river, before receiving first aid and CPR.

One other child was also in the water but did not require further treatment and was returned home.

Joshua was then taken to hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in hospital until he died late yesterday evening.

DI Heidi Twynham said: “Losing a child is devastating, and we offer our condolences to the family after this tragic accident – we are liaising with the family to provide support.

“Fast, unpredictable currents and invisible deeper sections make rivers dangerous places, particularly for children and non-confident swimmers. Please take caution around our waterways.

“Thank you to our officers, members of the emergency services, and the hospital staff for everything you’ve done over the past few days.”

The tragedy comes as fears grow for a teenage boy who was last seen swimming in a reservoir.

The emergency services were called to the Lodge Farm Reservoir, Netherton, near Dudley in the West Midlands just after 6pm on Tuesday.

A 15-year-old boy had been seen in the water at the reservoir, which has a maximum depth of 15metres.

Specialist teams are continuing their search for the boy, with a helicopter spotted hovering above the reservoir.

A specialist submersible drone team was also brought in from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.