Canal-tragedy victim’s family pay tribute to ‘beautiful’ boy

The family of an eight-year-old boy who died after falling into a canal in South Yorkshire have paid tribute to their “beautiful” young son.

Matthew Cartwright was pulled out of the canal off Talbot Street in Swinton, Rotherham, at around 5.10pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

He was rushed to hospital but died the next day.

The youngster’s family released a statement yesterday saying: “We are devastated at the death of Matthew, which was a tragic accident.

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“He was a beautiful, loving little boy and we miss him terribly.”

Matthew was airlifted to Rotherham District General Hospital by the South Yorkshire Police helicopter following the incident but died at Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he had been transferred for specialist treatment.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said Matthew had died with his family at his bedside. A post mortem will be carried out to establish the exact cause of death.

Officers have said they do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances, with the incident so far appearing to be the result of a “tragic accident”.

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Matthew lived in Mexborough, near Doncaster, and it was confirmed by police that a member of his family was with him when he fell into the canal waters on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

Fire and rescue teams also attended the incident but said the schoolboy had already been rescued from the water by the time firefighters had arrived on the scene.

The service’s area manager, Richard Chandler, warned youngsters about the dangers of playing near canals, rivers and lakes and said his team’s thoughts were with Matthew’s family and friends.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents between 40 and 50 children die from drowning every year in the UK.

The society said the number of incidents increases during the school holidays, particularly when the weather is hot.