Family of drowned boy tell of their devastation

Police yesterday named the dead boy as 15-year-old Phillip Law, from the Rawmarsh area of Rotherham, and said investigations were continuing into the incident.

Officers were called by members of the public on Wednesday afternoon after a group of youngsters were seen in Manvers lake, at Wath-upon-Dearne, near Rotherham.

The first call was made at about 12.20pm and specialist officers were drafted in after it was confirmed that Phillip, a pupil at the nearby Swinton Community School, was missing.

Police divers pulled his body from the water at around 2pm. He was treated by paramedics and taken to Sheffield Children's Hospital but was dead on arrival.

In a statement released through South Yorkshire Police, Phillip's family said: "We are obviously devastated by the loss of a much-loved son and brother. Our thanks go out to his friends who tried to save him."

David Pridding, Phillip's headteacher at Swinton Community School, said: "This is an extremely sad day for the whole Swinton school community and our thoughts are with Phillip's family at this difficult time.

"Phillip was a most pleasant, cheerful young man. His personality made him a well-known figure in our school community. He will be sadly missed.

"Today we have held special assemblies for pupils both to inform them all of what has happened and to help them come to terms with this sad loss."

Chief Insp Neville Hamilton, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "Officers continue to patrol the area and we are working with our partners to ensure visitors to the site have a safe and enjoyable time. However, I would ask that members of the public behave responsibly at these beauty spots and follow the signs warning people not to enter the water."