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Body of 16-year-old boy recovered from River Etherow in Greater Manchester after 'tragic accident'

Police say water where boy was playing with friends appeared calm and shallow

Lauren Brown
Wednesday 20 July 2016 09:30 BST
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The boy was playing in the River Etherow with friends
The boy was playing in the River Etherow with friends

A 16-year-old boy has died in a river after playing in the water with friends as temperatures soared.

The boy's body was recovered from the River Etherow near Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday - the hottest day of the year so far.

Police said the water where the friends were playing appeared calm and shallow but may have masked hazards below.

Emergency services were called shortly before 5.45pm and found the body of the boy. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and no-one else was taken to hospital.

Detective Inspector Andy Sandiford, of Greater Manchester Police's Tameside borough, said: "We have launched an investigation into this tragic incident, which appears to have begun with a group of friends playing in the river on a hot summer's day.

"While we don't yet know for sure what happened, we understand the water appeared calm and shallow, but there may have been strong undercurrents and hidden hazards beneath the surface.

"A team of detectives are investigating the incident and have concluded that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.

"The family of the boy are being supported by specially trained officers during this difficult time."

Press Association

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