Hundreds of children hold emotional vigil in Hornsea for teenage boy who drowned

Hundreds of children hold emotional vigil in Hornsea for teenage boy who drowned Emergency services scrambled to South Promenade in Hornsea, East Yorkshire., at around 6pm on Tuesday after reports of a concern for safety of a teenage boy in the water Hundreds of children gathered in Hornsea to hold a vigil for a teenage boy who died after being swept out to sea while playing with his pals. The teen got in trouble in the rough seas just 11 minutes after the lifeguards clocked off, it is said. Emergency services scoured the coast just off Hornsea, East Yorkshire, before the 13-year-old boy’s body was eventually pulled from the water in the early hours of Wednesday morning. On Friday afternoon, his friends gathered in Hornsea to pay their respects to the teenager outside his school, Sirius West in Hull, East Yorkshire. Traffic stopped as the children wandered into the road and released scores of balloons. A teacher there said: “It is very sad. The school have got their own tribute inside the gates. I am sure something else will be going up. He has been here a while. He was a lovely, lovely lad. A really nice kid. It is shame these things happen.” Another parent said: “The boy who passed away, my daughter is in his sister’s class. I think it was lovely. It is a massive thing to come and pay their respect. He is from Africa." The parent said his sister is crying for her friend, adding: "You are never ready for anything like this. Most of it has been done by the kids who organised it.” A teddy bear tribute had been left attached to the school fence saying "Forever 13". After the teen's body was recovered, Chief Superintendent Phil Booker, of Humberside Police, said: "This is an incredibly heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends at this devastating time." He said emergency services were called to the South Promenade in Hornsea shortly after 6pm on Tuesday "following reports of a concern for safety involving a 13-year-old boy who had got into difficulty whilst swimming in the water.“An extensive search operation was launched involving specialist Humberside search officers including our Marine Unit and drone pilots, alongside HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service. Tragically, at around 4.30am Wednesday, 5 August, a body was recovered from the water. "His death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will now be prepared for the Coroner.“We know the sadness and concern this will cause in the community, and we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected during this incredibly difficult time. I would like to thank all of the emergency services involved in the search, along with members of the public for their support and cooperation." At least 40 people have lost their lives in water-related incidents since May 24. The Mirror has been running a water safety campaign after a horrifying spate of drownings in the early heatwaves. Save Lives for Sam has been backed by the RNLI and Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who are warning the public to take care in the water. Withernsea Town Council has sent its deepest condolences to the people of Hornsea following the latest tragedy, the death of the teenager who police have not yet formally identified. In a letter to Hornsea Town Council, Withernsea’s deputy mayor Sharon Carman said the two coastal communities shared a particular bond, strengthened by their recent experiences of tragedy and loss. The letter said: “Withernsea Town Council wishes to express its deepest sympathy following the tragic incident in Hornsea. Our own community has only recently experienced profound loss on our shoreline and we understand the shock, sadness and collective grief that follow such events. “Coastal communities share a particular bond. Shaped by the sea, strengthened in adversity and held together by the compassion of our residents. In moments like these, that connection feels especially strong. “We stand with Hornsea’s community, its emergency responders and everyone affected. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and know that Withernsea is thinking of Hornsea at this very difficult time. We are all united by the grief these incidents create and thank them kindly for their thoughtfulness.”