River Calder tragedy: Tyler Wilson, 16, drowns while swimming with pals – as mum shares heartbreaking tribute
THE MUM of a 16-year-old schoolboy who drowned in a river has paid tribute to her son.
Tyler Wilson died after getting into difficulties as he swam with friends in the River Calder, near Castleford, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday evening.
Floral tributes and balloons were tied to a water level gauge beside the steps where Tyler was pulled from the river, near Methley Bridge.
His heartbroken mother Zoe Marie Scott laid flowers this morning surrounded by friends.
She was said to be “devastated with sorrow”.
Posting a photograph of her son online, she wrote: “Love u n forever my boy until we meet again.”
Kerri Mountain-Stogden, the mother of Tyler’s girlfriend, said her daughter is “heartbroken”.
She said: “My poor baby daughter has lost her boyfriend, soulmate and best friend. He truly was her rock.
“I am so sorry to all Tyler’s family. He was the best. A decent, honest boy that made my daughter the happiest girl.
“Our lives and house won’t be the same without him.”
Local boatyard owner Jeff Dowsett, 72, said: “I heard his mother’s screams as his body was pulled out and that sound will never leave me. There isn’t a level of anguish I could put on that scream.
“His mother had been called to the scene and she watched from the river bank.
“I feel very sad. Everybody hurts.”
Mr Dowsett said he had been chatting to a teacher who told him firefighters had been visiting schools recently warning children about the dangers of swimming in rivers and canals.
“Unfortunately, the warnings have been ignored. People need to err on the side of caution before jumping in the water and enjoying themselves.
“There are hidden dangers in the waters. It is not a swimming pool environment, it is a real river.
“I saw the rescue operation, emergency services and ambulances and so on.
“There were people searching along the river bank and there were drones in the air.
“After 33 years working here, we have seen this all before and it was going to end in sadness.
“You hoped that he would be pulled out alive, but he wasn’t.
“Sadly, over the years there have been a lot of suicides at this spot.”
West Yorkshire Police stated:“Police were called to the River Calder off Leeds Road, Castleford, at 6.58pm this evening (Wednesday, 24 May) to a report of a concern for safety for a male in the water.
“Emergency services attended at the scene and shortly before 8.30pm a body was recovered from the water. It is understood to be that of a 16-year-old boy. His family are aware and being supported by officers. We would ask that people are considerate of his family at this difficult time.
Police are making enquiries into this incident and would ask that anyone who witnessed any part of what has taken place contact Wakefield District CID via 101 Live Chat or by calling 101, quoting log 1652 of 24/05.”
It comes as two young people tragically drowned in a beauty spot lake while four others were rescued.
Emergency crews were scrambled to High Eske nature reserve in Tickton, East Yorkshire, following the horror last night.