Family’s tribute to teenager ‘with heart full of gold’ who died in reservoir

'You were a kind, loving young man with a heart full of gold. '

The family of a 16-year-old whose body was recovered from a reservoir have paid tribute to the ‘irreplaceable’ teenager with ‘a heart full of gold’.

Tyrese Johnson had finished school for the summer when he got into difficulties in the water at Lodge Farm Reservoir in Netherton, Dudley, at around 6pm on Tuesday, West Midlands Police said.

Emergency services were called but he could not be saved and his body was pulled from the water the next day by police divers.

In a tribute released through the police, the family said: ‘Tyrese, words can’t describe what you meant to us as a family, your loving devoted mom, your brother, dad, your niece and nephew.

‘You were a kind, loving young man with a heart full of gold.

‘Your warm, gentle, kind-hearted soul, simply irreplaceable.’

Dudley Commander Chief Superintendent Anthony Tagg said: ‘Our deepest sympathies remain with Tyrese’s family and friends.

‘The shock of his death has devastated the whole community and we share that grief.’

The death has been referred to the coroner.

James Williams, assistant chief ambulance officer, said: ‘This is a truly tragic outcome, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to boy’s family and friends.

‘Our specialist water rescue hazardous area response team paramedics were immediately deployed into the water to join fellow emergency service colleagues in the search.’

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