Teenager found dead in Knottingley canal in hot weather

The body of a 15-year-old boy has been found in a canal in West Yorkshire.

Emergency services pulled the teenager from the water in Stocking Lane, Knottingley, shortly before 18:00 BST on Tuesday.

He has been named locally as Caden Taylor, described by his school principal as "an extremely popular, kind and talented young man".

The death of the teenager is the fourth involving water in Yorkshire in recent days.

West Yorkshire Police said he had died at the scene and the Homicide and Major Inquiry Team are investigating and urged any witnesses to come forward.

Caden Taylor was a pupil at De Lacy Academy in Knottingley and the school's principal Chris McCall said they had been sorry to hear about his death.

"Caden was an extremely popular, kind and talented young man, with his whole future ahead of him," he said.

"He was a very polite and always cheerful young man and his enthusiasm and positive outlook on life will be sorely missed by his teachers and fellow pupils."

Mr McCall said he would be missed by everyone who knew him and the school's thoughts were with his family.

Det Ch Insp Tony Nicholson, said: "This has been a tragic incident in which a boy has sadly lost his life and I would like to advise people of the dangers posed by open water.

"Even on days as hot as we have had recently, canals can still be very cold and cold water can cause cramps in even the strongest swimmers.

"Currents created by boats and water movements around locks and weirs can also be dangerous. There may also be items lurking beneath the surface that could cause injury."

Dave Walton, from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said unseen hazards in waterways meant "a bit of fun" could end in tragedy.

"However much it might tempt you, however nice you think it might feel to go into the cooler water, it is simply not worth the risk," he said.

"People will and do drown in relatively shallow water."

On Tuesday, the body of a man was recovered from a lake in Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield.

In South Yorkshire, a man was found dead in a lake in Crookes Valley Park, Sheffield, just before midnight on Sunday.

Meanwhile, also on Sunday, a man in his 50s was pulled from the River Ouse in York after kayakers spotted his body.

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