Emergency services rush to reservoir as teenage boy goes missing with family 'distressed'
A huge emergency services presence was seen at Netherton Reservoir in the Dudley area of the West Midlands on Tuesday evening, after reports of a missing teen
A Midlands town was plunged into high alert as emergency services descended on a local reservoir following reports of a missing youngster just after 6pm on Tuesday. Residents of Netherton saw a helicopter scouring the area, while on the ground, a contingent of police, paramedics, and firefighters coordinated a meticulous search operation.
The warm evening in the Midlands town turned frantic as multiple 999 calls were made from Netherton Reservoir at around 6.20pm.
Concerned locals alerted authorities to the disappearance of a young person in the water, which lies close to residential areas and the Dudley Canal. West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that two other youngster had jumped in the water to assist during the incident.
As night fell, the vicinity was cordoned off by Dudley Police, and members of the public were urged to avoid the area while the search continues into the night, the Mirror reports. Local community leaders from Netherton have since offered their heartfelt sympathies to the family of the "missing youngster."
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council's Cllr Elaine Taylor (Netherton and Holly Hall, Lab. ) confirmed the grave nature of the situation, telling BirminghamLive: "I understand that the emergency services are searching for a missing youngster.
"I haven't had an update from the council or the police but I am expecting one this evening. My thoughts go out to the family involved."
Details regarding the age and identity of the individual remain undisclosed, but police have assured that further information regarding the ongoing search at Netherton Reservoir will be made available when appropriate.
Just before the stroke of midnight, after more than five hours of relentless searching, Dudley Police confirmed that their efforts to locate the missing teenager at the reservoir were still underway. They also expressed their heartfelt thanks to the local community for rallying around the boy's distraught family.
In an official statement, the police said: "We were called to Lodge Farm Reservoir on Highbridge Road, #Netherton just after 6pm this evening (23 July) after a teenage boy was seen in the water.
"Specialist search teams are continuing to look for the teenager with assistance from West Midlands Fire and Rescue service West Midlands Fire Service and colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service. We and the other emergency services are doing everything we can to support all those involved.
"We understand how distressing this is for the boy's family and we're grateful for the support offered from members of the community this evening.
"We continue to ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to respond. Highbridge Road remains closed this evening."
"If you have any information, please get in touch with us quoting log 4138 of 23 July."
