A ‘confident and much-loved’ teenager who drowned in a lake has been named – as his school and football team paid tribute to him.
The body of Daniel Drewitt, 16, was pulled from a pool in Sutton Park, Birmingham, after he got into trouble while swimming yesterday evening.
A fisherman reportedly jumped into the water to try and save Daniel but sadly they were unable to find him.
His body was discovered by emergency services shortly after 10pm last night, West Midlands Police have said.
Paying tribute to Daniel, his football team Northfield Town FC, posted on Facebook: ‘One of our talented former junior players, Daniel Drewitt, passed away yesterday evening following a tragic accident at Sutton Park.
‘Daniel was a fantastic young man who always wore a smile on his face whether on or off the pitch and was loved by so many.
‘Everyone at Northfield Town FC send their thoughts and heart felt condolences to the family, friends and former teammates.’
It comes after staff at Colmers School and Sixth Form College also paid tribute to the Year 11 pupil.
The body of Daniel Drewitt (pictured), 16, was pulled from a pool in Sutton Park, Birmingham, after he got into trouble while swimming yesterday evening
A spokesperson said: ‘Daniel was a young man who brought light and character to our entire school community; he was confident, full of life, a talented sportsman and so deeply loved by staff and fellow pupils alike.
‘His warm presence and positive spirit will be sorely missed.
‘We know how deeply this loss will be felt by many and we are committed to ensuring no member of our school community feels alone in their grief.
‘Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Daniel’s family.’
Last night, emergency services were seen descending on Powell’s Pool, a large body of water on the edge of the park in Sutton Coldfield.
An urgent search was launched to try and find Daniel, with specialist officers deployed to the area.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: ‘Specialist teams were deployed from fire and rescue, ambulance colleagues and Birmingham City Council colleagues.
‘Sadly this has resulted in the boy’s body being found and our thoughts are with his family at this time.’
Emergency crews descended on Powell’s Pool, in Sutton Park, Birmingham on Thursday following reports a boy had gone missing
According to the Our Sutton Park community group, a brave fisherman jumped into the lake to try and save the boy.
They wrote on Facebook: ‘Our Sutton Park and its members would like to send our deepest condolences to the parents of the young boy who tragically drowned while swimming in Powell’s Pool yesterday.
‘We are truly grateful for the brave and selfless efforts of the fishermen who immediately jumped into the lake to save him.
‘I’m sorry we could not find him. Our thoughts are with the boy’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.’
One resident replied: ‘Thoughts are with his family it is a very dangerous lake I fish it and the weed and the silt is very dangerous.’
Birmingham city councillor Majid Mahmood said: ‘I am deeply saddened of the tragic incident.
‘There are no words strong enough to convey the heartbreak felt in the wake of this devastating loss.
‘I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones. My thoughts are with them during this unimaginable time.’
The body of a teenage boy was recovered from the lake and West Midlands Police are not treating the death as suspicious
Sutton Park, in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands covers 2,400 acres and is one of largest urban parks in Europe and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: ‘Shortly after 6pm on Thursday 10 July, we responded to reports of a missing teenage boy, who was last seen in a body of water at Sutton Park.
‘Five fire engines and our specialist Technical Rescue Unit responded, crewed by firefighters from Aston, Sheldon, Woodgate Valley, Sutton Coldfield and Bickenhill fire stations.
‘We worked closely with police and ambulance colleagues throughout the incident but very sadly, after a thorough search, the boy’s body was recovered from the water by firefighters.
‘Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the wider community at this deeply tragic time.’
MailOnline has contacted West Midlands Police for further comment.
