Family’s heartbreak after football-mad teen, 16, drowned while fishing at beauty spot lake
Keen fisherman Jack Morrison, 16, was found in Sutton-at-Hone lake near Dartford in Kent yesterday afternoon after going missing on Friday
THE family of a 16-year-old boy whose body was pulled from a fishing lake have spoken of their loss, saying their "hearts are broken".
Jack "Bubbles" Morrison, 16, was reported missing on Friday afternoon after reportedly going fishing on lakes at Sutton-at-Hone, near Dartford, Kent.
Tragically the teenager's body was found by rescue teams on Saturday after stretches of the water were sealed off to the public.
The body of the popular carp fisherman was discovered yesterday afternoon and police have since formally identified the body – his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Paying tribute, relatives of Jack said his "one true love" was spending weekends fishing. He was also a keen footballer, playing for Violenti Football Academy.
His family have described him as "like a beautiful angel" whose short life had brought joy and laughter.
The teenager's relatives said: "Although your life was short it was full. You had achieved so much and were on a path to success.
"Your life was not a waste and the last year you had become so funny, constantly making us laugh, and thank you God for that, as we now have so many stories to share of your cheeky jokes.
"That is what is keeping us strong, the thought of your happy laughing face that we love more than words can say.
"Our lives will never be the same now, without you here with us, and although we never thought there really were angels, now we do as it's the only explanation for such a beautiful amazing boy.
"We love you so much Jack and we can't even begin to put in to words the love and the pride you have given to us being in your life.
"Thank you so, so much for letting us be part of your life, our perfect angel Jack, aka the cheekiest, funniest, strongest amazing boy we have ever had the pleasure to have known.
"We are just so lucky to have had you in our life for the time that we did, love from your family."
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Friend Liam Luxford said Jack, known to his loved ones as ‘Bubbles’, of Fawkham, Kent, died doing a sport he “absolutely loved”.
He said: “A massive thank you to [everyone] who supported Jack’s family and the angel himself on this special day today. Lots of people lost Jack as a good friend like myself however, heaven gained another angel.
“Jack had mad support throughout this devastating death however he was in a place he absolutely loved and a sport he loved doing.
“To think he is no longer here with us kills me. But as he would say God bless him wet nets and tight lines to all the anglers out there.
“Please share this to raise awareness and support for his family at this sad occasion and more than anything the time of the year all anglers or not be safe out there this winter and for the winters ahead love u loads bro sleep tight and get the best bed in heaven.”
Graham Gibbs added: “Sad news. Young Jack Morrison’s, from Fawkham, body has been recovered from Sutton At Hone lakes.
“Please spare a thought for his family as you prepare to spend Christmas with your loved ones. Jack was a tender 16 years old and from the info I've got, he had many local friends.”
“No names, no Kudos just our respect to a young lad who died doing what he loved.”
Kent Police, who found his body at Sutton At Hone lake in Dartford, said: “Kent Police and other emergency services searching a lake at Sutton-at-Hone, Dartford have recovered a body from the water.
“Next of kin have been informed and the body has been formally identified as the 16-year-old boy reported missing in the area yesterday.
“The death is currently being treated as non-suspicious and a report is being prepared for the Coroner.”
Yesterday firefighters and police officers closed off lakes in the village to the public as they narrowed down the search which also involved a Coastguards' helicopter.
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