Headteacher pays tribute to boy who drowned in lake

The headteacher of a 15-year-old boy who died while swimming in a lake has paid tribute to him, as emergency services have urged youngsters not to go in open water.

David Mountney said pupil Spencer Hurst had only joined Aldridge School this year but had already settled in and made friends.

The year 10 student had been playing in a lake with friends near Pelsall, Black Country when he disappeared from view on yesterday evening (20 June).

His body was recovered from Ryder Hayes Mear following an hour-long search by emergency services.

In a statement on the school's website, Mr Mountney said:

On Tuesday, a 17-year-old girl was taken to hospital as a precaution afterambulance crews were called to three teenagers in difficulty after swimming in the river at Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.

Paramedics arrived to find bystanders had managed to pull all three to safety.

The rash of incidents has prompted a warning to youngsters from the emergency services about the dangers of swimming in lakes, rivers and reservoirs during the warm weather spell.

West Midlands Fire Service's area commander Ben Brook, speaking after Spencer's death, said: