Emergency services search River Thames after boy, 14, believed to have drowned

Emergency services search River Thames after boy, 14, believed to have drowned
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Mark White

By Mark White


Published: 18/07/2022

- 20:41

Updated: 18/07/2022

- 20:41

The teenager's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers

Police in west London are investigating after a fourteen-year-old boy is believed to have drowned in the river Thames.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident around quarter to five this evening.


London Ambulance Service contacted the police to say they had reports that a child had been seen entering the water at Tagg’s Island in Hampton.

Officers responded with paramedics and the London Fire Brigade.

Emergency services rushed to the scene
Emergency services rushed to the scene
GB News

An extensive search was carried out involving all three emergency services and members of the public.

A police spokesperson said that efforts to locate the boy were unsuccessful.

The search and rescue operation was called off shortly after 6:30pm this evening.

Efforts to recover the boy's body will continue into this evening.

The teenager's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Superintendent Richard Smith said: "Despite the very best efforts of all involved, we must now sadly conclude that this young boy has died.

“His death is a tragedy and I cannot begin to imagine what his family will be going through. All our thoughts are with them.

“I know that on days like today when temperatures are at a record high, it might look appealing to jump in and cool off in rivers, reservoirs, lakes or other open water.

“Please don’t. The dangers are real and this evening in Richmond we have seen the terrible consequences of what happens when it goes wrong.

“To young people in particular, I would urge you to be the person in your group of friends who says no and reminds others about the dangers. Your intervention could save a life and save another family from experiencing such an awful loss.”

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