Boy, 17, found dead in Pick Mere was 'full of light'

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A 17-year-old who died after going missing at a Cheshire lake has been described as “compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light” by his family.

David Tita Jr, from Crewe, had been in Pick Mere, between Knutsford and Northwich, with friends on Tuesday afternoon before he was reported missing.

A major search was launched by emergency services at about 16:50 BST – and his body was recovered from the lake later that evening.

“No words will ever describe the loss of our son,” David’s family said in a tribute. “This pain in our chests will never leave us and will forever be within our hearts.”

His death came during a period of record-breaking heat across parts of the UK.

There have been 11 water-related deaths recently, including that of a 12-year-old boy whose body was found in the River Ribble, Ribchester, Lancashire.

Young people have also died in water-related incidents in Kent, Oxford, Lincoln, Halifax, Rotherham, Warwickshire and Farnborough, along with a man in his 60s in Cornwall and a woman in her 70s in Wales.

Officers carried out extensive searches of the area to locate David and search efforts were supported by a police helicopter, along with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, and specialist Underwater Search Teams.

His family said: “David was compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light.

“When he smiled, it was as mountains smile to see the spring. His smile and touching empathy were infectious, as was his impactful capacity to reach out, build relationships, help and support those around him.

“He was not only a son, but a friend, a brother and a very supportive force to us, his family and the wider Crewe community.

“You were ripped away from having a full and rich life and we were stolen the chance of ever having to see you grow old and have your own children and family.”

They added: “Tonight, and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives, we will look for you in the stars, the heavens and through sunsets and remember who you were, until we meet again.

“We love David and that’s something no one can take away from us.”

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