Noah Woods died after leaving play area through gap in fence, inquest told

Noah Woods died after leaving play area through gap in fence, inquest told More than 1,000 volunteers took part in frantic search for missing three-year-old earlier this month - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join todayAlready a member? Log in A three-year-old who was found dead in a lake following a huge search left a play area “through a gap in the fence”, an inquest heard. A desperate search was launched on 15 September for Noah Woods, who police said was non-verbal, partially deaf and undergoing an autism assessment. The young boy went missing in Brantham, Suffolk, when he became separated from a relative near a playground. More than 24 hours after his disappearance, police confirmed that dive teams had recovered a child’s body from a lake known locally as Decoy Pond, which was later identified as the three-year-old. Coroner Jyoti Gill formally opened an inquest on Friday morning at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich. She said at the outset of the hearing, which was not attended by family: “I would like to express my deepest condolences to Noah’s family and friends and all those affected by Noah’s death.” She said at the end of the six-minute hearing: “The inquest is adjourned to a date to be fixed in due course. Once again, my deepest condolences.” Detective chief inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that Noah, of East Bergholt, Suffolk, was being “looked after by relatives and this was part of a normal routine for Noah” on 15 September. He said they walked to an under-fives play area and CCTV footage in the park “showed Noah playing with his relative”. The first CCTV footage was timed at 2.13pm, and he was last seen playing at 2.37pm. Mr Connick added the camera “is motion-activated so doesn’t provide continuous footage”. The relative, who was not named at the hearing, had provided a statement to police. The officer said Noah “left through a gap in the fence leading to the memorial garden where he left through an open gate” before heading in the direction of Decoy Pond, and he was “being closely followed by his relative who was trying to keep up with him”. He said the relative “shouted after him”, but after 200 metres Noah could not be seen. “Police were called and a large-scale search operation began,” Mr Connick said. He added Noah was found by a Met Police diver “approximately five metres from the bank and within submerged tree roots”, where the depth was estimated at 1.8 metres. A post-mortem examination at Addenbrooke’s Hospital mortuary in Cambridge recorded his medical cause of death as pending further investigation, Mr Connick said. Noah’s death was confirmed at 4.31pm by paramedics, and his identity was formally confirmed by his mother, Charlie Peck, at Ipswich Hospital that evening. Around 1,300 volunteers turned out to help find Noah, and search efforts were supported by the National Police Air Service, HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, and Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue. Suffolk Police confirmed the body of a child had been found and the discovery was being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. The family of Noah said he was “a happy, cheeky, playful” boy “who loved to laugh, loved to giggle and who brought joy wherever he went”, in a tribute issued through Suffolk Police. “He was part of a loving and caring family, living with his mummy, daddy and his little baby brother. He was at the centre of our world,” the family said. “Noah was being assessed for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis. He also had mild hearing loss and was speech-delayed. Despite the challenges he faced, he was learning every day. He was saying new words all the time and had only just started finding and using his little voice. One of the things we miss most is the special sound of his voice. It was unique, wonderful, and something we will carry with us forever.” Noah was an older brother, the family said, who had a special relationship with the baby. They added: “Every Tuesday since the day he was born, Noah went to the park with a treasured relative. They had the most wonderful relationship; they loved playing chase together, running around, and exploring the play equipment. Those moments were filled with laughter and happiness and are memories our family will treasure forever.” The family said they wanted Noah’s last memory to be one of joy: “We want people to remember him running, playing chase, giggling and being the happy little boy that he was. That is who Noah was, and that is how he deserves to be remembered. “We would also like to say thank you. Thank you to the Good Dads Club, Ipswich Town Football Club, everyone who helped during the search, the emergency services, and the specialist support provided by the police. Thank you to our family and friends who have surrounded us with love, care and support during the darkest time of our lives.” A tribute to the three-year-old was also shown on the big screen ahead of the Everton v Ipswich Town Premier League match on 19 September, while players wore black armbands in his memory. More than £100,000 has been raised to support Noah’s family. “A special thank you must go to the entire footballing community, from grassroots clubs through to the highest levels of the game, for the incredible love, support and kind thoughts that have been shown to our family,” Noah’s family added. “The support we have received has been overwhelming, and we will be forever grateful to every single person who has stood beside us and remembered our beautiful Noah.” Noah’s mother, Charlie, said: “If there is one thing we could ask of people, it is to hold their children a little tighter, cherish every moment, and never take those precious memories for granted.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments