Child, 5, who vanished from village found dead in water after search

A young child who went missing has been pulled from a body of water.

The 5-year-old was declared dead at the scene in the village of Badsey last night.

Dozens of locals formed search parties to try and find the missing child after an alert was put out on Facebook.

Their body was found in a stretch of water.

A village butcher said on Facebook: ‘Today has left our whole community shocked and deeply saddened.

‘Our hearts go out to a local family facing an unimaginable loss, along with everyone who knows and loves them.

‘There are simply no words that can ease a heartbreak like this, but we hope they know the entire village is thinking of them.’

They added: ‘As a mark of respect, we won’t be posting any further content for the rest of this week.

‘Please keep them in your thoughts and give them the privacy and compassion they deserve.’

Another local added: ‘Police advised to respect the family at this time, speculation to stop. Search has ended.

‘Praying for our neighbors, this community came together.’

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers were called to a report of a missing child in Badsey yesterday evening.

‘Sadly, the child was found unresponsive in a body of water, and a short time later was pronounced dead.

‘There is no third-party involvement in the child’s death, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

‘This is an incredibly tragic incident.

‘We ask the public to avoid speculation online as this is incredibly distressing to the family and we ask that their privacy is respected at such a difficult time.’

West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were called at 6.50pm, sending an ambulance, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.

A spokesperson said: ‘On arrival we discovered one patient, a young child.

‘Ambulance staff and police worked quickly to treat the patient, but sadly, it became apparent nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed dead at the scene.’