Two boys aged eight and 16 have died in separate drowning incidents less than 30 miles apart - as police urged children to take care around water.
Police on Wednesday recovered the body of a 16-year-old from Netherton reservoir in Dudley, where they had been searching for him since he got into difficulties just after 6pm on Tuesday.
West Midlands Police said he was found shortly before 11.30am on Wednesday.
Dudley Commander, Chief Superintendent Anthony Tagg said: “This is a desperately tragic event and our thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends.
“Equally this has affected the wider community who have been extremely supportive.
“We will have extra officers in the area during the coming days and we would urge anyone with concerns to talk to us.”
His death came as another boy, aged just eight, died in hospital on Tuesday “following complications resulting from drowning”.
He was on Wednesday named by Warwickshire Police as Joshua Hillstead, from Maypole, Birmingham.
Joshua was pulled from the River Arrow in Alcester, near Stratford-upon-Avon, on Monday.
The incident happened just 25 miles away from Netherton reservoir, where the 16-year-old boy died.
Warwickshire Police said it was called around 9.30pm to a report a young child had fallen into the river behind Kingfisher Way in Alcester.
“Police, fire, and ambulance services were in attendance,” said a force spokesperson on Wednesday. “The boy was pulled from the river, before receiving first aid and CPR.
“One other child was also in the water but did not require further treatment and was returned home.
“Joshua was then taken to hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in hospital until he passed away late yesterday evening.”
DI Heidi Twynham described the incident as “devastating”.
“Fast, unpredictable currents and invisible deeper sections make rivers dangerous places, particularly for children and non-confident swimmers,” she said. “Please take caution around our waterways.
“Thank you to our officers, members of the emergency services, and the hospital staff for everything you’ve done over the past few days.”
