Death of two-year-old boy in canal in Wolverhampton shocks community

The area around Hendon Avenue in Ettingshall near the Birmingham and Wolverhampton Canal had been full of police cars and ambulances on Sunday night after the boy was pulled from the water by police just after 6pm.

Despite the best efforts of police officers and paramedics at the scene, the boy died at the scene.

Residents of Ettingshall living near the canal spoke to the Express & Star this morning.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said she had returned from work to see police "everywhere".

She said: "I was out at work at the time, but came home to find lots of police and police cars everywhere.

"I didn't know what had happened until later on and it did leave me shaken as a result because I couldn't sleep last night.

"My husband was here and told me that the paramedics were attempting to resuscitate the boy on the canal path, so it's all just very shocking."

Another woman, who also asked not to be identified, said: "I just caught the aftermath of what had happened as I was at home, then heard a noise outside and saw police cars everywhere.

"They wouldn't tell me what had happened and I only really found out this morning about it.

"It's very sad to hear about it and for it to happen so close to your own doorstep, and I can only hope his family are okay."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival, crews found a boy, who had been pulled from the water by police colleagues, in a critical condition.

“He was receiving basic life support by officers and ambulance staff immediately took over to administer advanced life support.

“Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, the child could not be saved and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

West Midlands Police confirmed this morning that the boy who died was two years old, and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.