POLICE are treating the death of a boy in Stourport yesterday as an accident.

The boy – named locally as Robbie, believed to be about 13 years old and from a travelling site along the river – was riding his bike when he fell into the water at the Stourport basin, near the former Tontine pub, just before noon.

It is believed he was with a younger boy when he fell into a lock as he tried to cross the steel bridge.

Witnesses at the scene said he fell about 10 or 11 feet into the water, which was believed to be about 10 feet deep.

He was in the water for more than half an hour before swim rescue technicians from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service managed to pull him from the bottom of the lock at 12.35pm.

The boy was then taken to a waiting air ambulance, which had landed on a small piece of grass nearby, and was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The lock had to be drained of water to enable ambulance crews and other emergency services to locate and retrieve the child.

“Ambulance crews and medics on board the air ambulance commenced advanced life support treatment after the casualty had been brought to the canal bank.”

Mark Mills, a supervisor for British Waterways which manages the canals, was at the scene yesterday afternoon as police and health and safety teams investigated the accident - the first one of its kind to happen at the basin.

“It is a tragic accident and we are helping with police enquiries,” he said.

Scott Round, chef at the Windlass Cafe on Severn Side said he saw a helicopter, ambulance fast response vehicle and police cars. He said: “It was a long time while they were trying to find the young lad. I don’t know if he is okay but it’s very sad.”

Detective Inspector Dean Jones of West Mercia Police said: “Following an extensive search, a young boy was pulled from the water at around 12.35pm.

"Attempts were made to resuscitate him and he was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. However, he was sadly confirmed dead at about 1.45pm.”

Inquiries into the incident are continuing and police are appealing for any witnesses who have not already spoken to officers to contact them on 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 261-s-030611.