Boy, 16, dies after going swimming in a river with his friends on the hottest day of the year
The teen was in shallow water before a strong undercurrent took him under, according to reports
THE body of a teen who had been swimming with a group of friends on the hottest day of the year has been pulled from a river.
Jack Pullen 16, drowned after a strong current took him under as he swam in shallow waters in the River Etherow, Greater Manchester.
After Jack went missing in the river, a person who lives nearby found one of his "distraught" friends on the edge of the water "wondering where his mate had gone".
Tragic Jack's heartbroken father Gary Pullen walked down to the river bank this morning and read messages left in tribute to his son.
Gary, who sat by the river for several minutes, said Jack had recently completed his GCSEs and finished school.
The grieving dad, from nearby Hattersley, simply said: "He just wanted to be a teenager and be out with his mates".
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Police recovered his body from the river in the village of Broadbottom, Tameside, after they were called out at roughly 5.45pm yeserday.
Flowers have since been left by the water as friends and family pay their respects.
One card attached to a bouquet read: "To Jack always in our hearts and thoughts , lots of love Family XXXXX."
Another read: "Jack, Heaven has gained a perfect angel and we're all left wondering why. Such a beautiful kid. Jack we are all gonna miss you so much. Love you always, Lisa XXX."
Officers said that while the river appeared calm, there may have been "strong currents" underneath the surface.
Jack's tragic death comes as a 46-year-old man drowned after jumping into a fast-flowing river in Stapenhill, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffs.
Emergency services were called at 10pm last night after reports a man was floundering in the water.
He was pulled out by rescue teams but died in hospital a short time later.
The river where Jack tragically died is in a secluded part of Broadbottom village, and youngsters often jump in to welcome in the summer.
A man who lives in a cottage that backs onto the water, said: "Everybody on the road is upset because we've seen them doing it. It's like a sign of summer seeing kids jump in and having a laugh.
"One of my neighbours was first on the scene. They found a distraught 16-year-old wondering where his mate had gone."
Detective Inspector Andy Sandiford, of GMP's Tameside division, confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.
DI Sandiford said: "We have launched an investigation into this tragic incident which appears to have begun with a group of friends playing in the river on a hot summer's day.
"While we don't yet know for sure what happened, we understand the water appeared calm and shallow, but there may have been strong undercurrents and hidden hazards beneath the surface.
"A team of detectives are investigating the incident and have concluded that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.
";The family of the boy are being supported by specially trained officers during this difficult time."
