West Midlands Fire Service offers its sincere condolences to the family of a 16-year-old boy, whose body was recovered from the Netherton reservoir today (24 July).

Several of our crews were in attendance to support the search and rescue operation, which began following calls to the service at 6.16pm on Tuesday 23 July. Through national resilience arrangements, we requested a specialist submersible drone team from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to support our efforts.

Police divers recovered the body around 11.30am.

Oliver Lee, Chief Executive Officer of West Midlands Fire Service, said: “This is a devastating outcome that no one wanted. The hearts, thoughts and prayers of our service are with the family, and the close-knit local community who have come together during this tragedy.”