Boy, 17, found dead in River Thames named as heartbroken family pay tribute
Tributes have been paid to a 17-year-old boy who sadly died after getting into trouble in the River Thames.
Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed the discovery of a body yesterday afternoon in Lechlade-on-Thames, with the teenager reported missing the previous evening.
He has since been named as Jake Smith from Swindon, Wiltshire.
A statement released by his family said: "We unfortunately lost Jake in a tragic accident. The support and messages we have received have been overwhelming, and shows the love that people had.
"Jake will be missed by all his family and friends.
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"We would like to thank the emergency services, the community and especially The Riverside for their kindness and support.
"Although this was a tragic accident, we urge people to stop and think before they jump into the river."
Paying tribute on Facebook this morning, his dad Alan said: "Our son and loving brother to Megan Smith and Lucy Smith, you were taken away from us now nothing feels the same inside. We love you with all our hearts son R.I.P."
Police at the scene in Lechlade (Daniel Jae Webb / SWNS)Yesterday evening, his friend Tayla said: "My heart hurts... I will miss you forever my Jakey, fly high angel."
While another pal Milly added: "Never forget you. You were such an amazing friend to me and I will always appreciate everything you did for me and I love you always."
Gloucestershire Coroners Office told the Mirror formal identification is yet to take place.
Jake's family is understood to have been at the scene during the search, with his body reportedly located around 10.30am before police confirmation came at just before 4.30pm.
Four other boys, also aged around 17, were with Jake during the incident at close to 10pm on Sunday.
It's unclear if they all entered the water, but police said it's understood two had gone in to try and help their friend when he got into difficulty.
A huge search effort was launched (Daniel Jae Webb / SWNS)Witnesses said they were camping next to the Round House - a former lockkeeper's post and now a listed building - and had allegedly jumped into the water from a nearby wooden footbridge.
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The rescued teens were taken to the Riverside pub - around half a mile downstream - which re-opened late to accommodate them and provide a base for search teams.
Local search organisations from across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire had been drafted in for the search - while all three emergency services were present.
Rescue vessels were launching from Lechlade Marina.
A witness, who was moored up near the scene told the Mirror yesterday morning: "They were camping half a mile upstream near the Round House - there's a wooden bridge across the river.
"Some people say they were jumping in from there, others say two of them slipped in and it wasn’t jumpers.
Jake's family were said to be waiting by the river (Daniel Jae Webb / SWNS)"It could have been they slipped in off the riverbank."
Confirming the discovery of a body this afternoon, a police spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the boy's family and friends at this distressing time.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time."
The force said the boy's next of kin had been informed and are being supported by trained officers.
The boys got into trouble while playing in the water (Getty Images/iStockphoto)In an earlier statement, as the search continued, it said: "A group of four had been at the location together, and some had entered the water to try and find the boy. They are all accounted for."
A spokesman from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service previously said: “We were called at 10.03pm by the coast guard to reports that some teenagers believed to be aged about 17, had been playing in the river at Lechlade and one hadn’t resurfaced."
The Lechlade community has set up a crowdfunding page, with the blessing of Jake's family, to raise money for his funeral.
Click here to donate to the JustGiving page.
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