'Unimaginable grief' after boy's reservoir death

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A 13-year-old boy who is believed to have drowned in a reservoir was a “popular and much-loved student”, his school has said.

West Yorkshire Police were called to Leadbeater Dam on Lumb Lane, Halifax, just before 15:20 BST on Monday.

Teenager Reco David-James Puttock was pulled from the water and taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

In a statement, Lightlife Academy in Halifax said: “Reco was a popular and much-loved student who will be greatly missed by students, staff and our wider academy community.”

“Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his family, and all affected by this tragic loss at this incredibly difficult time.”

The school said support would be available for students as they returned from half-term.

The statement added that the school was working on plans to get together as a community and pay tribute to the teenager.

King Cross Park Rugby League Club, in Halifax, also paid tribute, saying: “Yesterday we were informed of the devastating news that Reco Puttock, who played for our 2025 U13s, tragically lost his life.”

The statement continued: “There are no words we can say which will make this loss any less painful for his family and friends especially at such a young age.

“So, on behalf of the entire club, we would like to extend our thoughts and condolences with his family, friends and team mates.

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Another club, Kippax Welfare Rugby League, said on social media: “On behalf of everyone associated with Kippax Welfare we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, loved ones of Reco and everyone at King Cross Park ARLFC.

“There are just no words befitting for such tragedies, in times of unimaginable grief, rivalries and colours simply do not matter.

“Rugby league has lost one of its own and we grieve as one.”

Police said investigations into Reco’s death were ongoing, adding they did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances.

His death was one of a spate of drownings in open water across England on the bank holiday weekend and into this week, as temperatures reached record highs.

A body was found in the search for a 12-year-old boy who went missing while swimming in a river in Lancashire on Tuesday.

On Monday, a teenage boy died in South Yorkshire while a 16-year-old girl drowned in Warwickshire.

Declan Sawyer, 15, drowned in a lake near Lincoln on Sunday.

His father Carl said: “We would like to raise awareness about children playing near any rivers or lakes in the hot weather.

“Please can all parents, friends and family make their children aware of the dangers surrounding water.”

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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