David Tita Jr, 17, Dies After Disappearing in Pick Mere, Cheshire Lake

A 17-year-old, identified as David Tita Jr from Crewe, has been recovered from Pick Mere, a lake situated between Knutsford and Northwich, Cheshire, after being reported missing on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency services initiated a significant search operation around 16:50 BST, ultimately recovering his body later that evening.

David's family issued a statement expressing profound grief: "No words will ever describe the loss of our son. This pain in our chests will never leave us and will forever be within our hearts." They further characterised David as "compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light," highlighting his impact on his family and the broader Crewe community.

This tragic incident occurs amidst a spell of record-breaking temperatures across parts of the UK, which has coincided with at least 11 other water-related fatalities. These include a 12-year-old boy in the River Ribble, Lancashire, and individuals in Kent, Oxford, Lincoln, and other regions, alongside an elderly man in Cornwall and an elderly woman in Wales.

Police conducted extensive searches for David, supported by a police helicopter, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, and specialist Underwater Search Teams.