CANAL TRAGEDY
Boy, 2, who died after being pulled from canal ‘wandered from home to feed the ducks’ before neighbours heard ‘screams’
One local said his family were in the process of moving house
A BOY who died after being pulled from a canal had escaped from his home to feed the ducks, according to residents.
The two-year-old fell into the canal in Wolverhampton with neighbours saying they heard "loud screams" as the tragedy unfolded.
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One local, who wished to remain anonymous, said the boy's family were in the process of moving house.
They added that the toddler may have escaped through an open garage as his family packed.
He said: "We've been down there plenty of times when we've had a bit of bread a few days out of date. We think 'lets just feed the ducks'.
"I heard a person screaming. They were resuscitating him there for about 20 minutes and then they took him in an ambulance."
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The frantic mum and dad, after realising the youngster was missing, reportedly raced to the canal less than 100 metres away to search for him.
Friends and fellow residents joined the desperate hunt shortly before 6pm yesterday near Catchem Corners Bridge in the suburb of Ettingshall.
Despite desperate efforts from heroic officers, who managed to rescue him then battled to save his life, it was too late and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A local mum of two, who didn’t know the family but came to pay her respects this afternoon, said: “It is every parents’ worst nightmare, for your child to disappear and then be found dead.
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As she lay flowers beside a tree on a towpath- with the family’s modest red brick semi detached house visible in Hendon Avenue - she said: “It is very sad and painful to contemplate. My heart goes out to the family.”
Another resident said: "I saw loads of police around here and then loud screams.
"We've heard he got out somehow and went down to the canal where he sometimes goes to feed the ducks."
A green Kermit frog and another cuddly toy have been placed on a canal side tree above several bouquets of flowers in memory of the tragic youngster.
A tearful work colleague of the boy’s mother called at the house to pass on his condolences after hearing the "terrible news” but the family has been staying away from their house.
Cops were called to Hendon Avenue in Ettingshall last night at 6.01pm.
The West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "On arrival, crews found a boy, who had been pulled from the water by police colleagues, in a critical condition.
"He was receiving basic life support by officers and ambulance staff immediately took over to administer advanced life support.
"Sadly, despite everyone's best efforts, the child could not be saved and he was confirmed dead at the scene."
Last night the force urged locals to stay away from the stretch of the canal.
West Midlands Police said: "We are currently at a canal tow-path in Wolverhampton following reports of a person in the water.
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"The person has been taken to hospital and the tow-path remains closed near to Ettingshall Road.
"Please avoid the area while emergency services continue to deal with the incident."
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