An eight-year-old boy has died after falling into a river, just a day before another child was found in a reservoir.

Joshua Hillstead, from Maypole, Birmingham, fell into the River Arrow in Alcester at around 9.30pm on Monday.

It came one day before a boy – believed to be 16 – also died in the West Midlands after being recovered from a reservoir in Dudley.

Joshua was taken to hospital when emergency services attended the scene, and died last night after complications resulting from drowning, Warwickshire Police said.

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

DI Heidi Twynham of Warwickshire Police 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.”

Teenager got into difficulty

On Wednesday morning, West Midlands Police confirmed a body has been found in the search for a 16-year-old boy in a reservoir in Dudley.

Police discovered a body shortly before 11.30am on Wednesday, with formal identification yet to take place.

Officers said the boy got into difficulties in Lodge Farm Reservoir in Netherton at just after 6pm on Tuesday.

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Dudley Commander, Chief Superintendent Anthony Tagg said: “This is a desperately tragic event and our thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends.

“Equally this has affected the wider community who have been extremely supportive.

“We will have extra officers in the area during the coming days and we would urge anyone with concerns to talk to us.”

According to the National Water Safety Forum – a network of volunteer groups promoting safety in open water – there were 236 water-related deaths in the UK in 2023.

Everyday activities, such as walking and running, accounted for 48% of accidental deaths, the group claims.

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