Noah Wood: Father of non-verbal three-year-old pays tribute after UK child found dead in lake

The UK father of a non-verbal three-year-old boy whose body was found in a pond on Wednesday night has made a heartbreaking tribute to his son and those involved in the frantic search to find him.

The grim discovery of the young boy’s body in Decoy Pond in Brantham, Suffolk, late on Wednesday was the devastating end to a frantic search involving police and Coastguard helicopters and more than a thousand volunteers which started when the partly deaf child ran off from a playground the previous day.

Noah had been under his grandfather’s watch before he was seen running off down an adjacent alleyway towards a housing development by the body of water about 3pm, Tuesday, local time.

It wasn’t until Wednesday evening that local police Superintendent Tom Pearse confirmed that a child’s body had been found in the pond located 300m from the playground.

His shattered father Rhys revealed the full extent of his anguish on Thursday while thanking those who joined the effort to find his son.

“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much,” he said.

“it seems he has made an impact across the whole nation, you have all taken Noah into your own hearts, with all the overwhelming help, we were all just trying to bring him home to us safe and sound.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community (even far and wide) who came together to search for our boy.

“The compassion shown by all of you will never be forgotten by us, and brought us comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives.”

Mr Wood added that the recovery of his body was “the most heartbreaking outcome”.

“We were just hoping that he would be hiding somewhere obvious where someone could find him, that’s what we kept telling ourselves the whole time.”

“Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much, it has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short 3 years you were with us.”

Mr Woods’ statement came just hours after the emotional news delivered by Supt Pearse that Noah’s body had been found.

“The discovery of the body is currently being treated as not suspicious but unexplained. The coroner will be informed of this development,” he told media.

“First and foremost our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all who knew him.

“Since Noah was reported as missing vast number of our officers and staff have been deployed in numerous functions in the search for Noah and support for his family.”

Mr Pearse said the search has been supported by the National Police Air Service, Suffolk Hazardous Area Response Team, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, Environment Agency, HM Coastguard, Fire and Rescue Service, and the ambulance service, as well as 1300 members of the public.

“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us search,” he added.

“As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heartwarming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place.

“I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this.”

The Guardian reported that volunteers wept at the news, which an emotional Mr Pearse delivered through a cracked voice.

News of the body recovery was shared by the local council on Facebook, who wrote a “heartfelt thank you” to those who had volunteered their time and resources to the search.