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A three-year-old boy whose disappearance sparked a huge search effort left a play area through a gap in the fence and was lost from sight despite a relative giving chase, an inquest heard.
Noah Woods was found dead on September 16 in a lake following a huge search in Brantham, Suffolk.
He had been missing since the day before, when he was last seen running from the park in Merriam Close, which he had been visiting with a relative.
An inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich heard that his body was found among tree roots five metres from the bank at Decoy Pond, a lake in the village, after a search by Met Police divers.
Following the inquest hearing, his family described him as a “happy, cheeky, playful” boy “who loved to laugh, loved to giggle and who brought joy wherever he went”.
Around 1,300 members of the public joined a search to find the youngster, combing the village and surrounding areas for signs of him.
Noah Woods was playing at a park before he ran off, said police. Credit: Suffolk Police
His family, in a statement released through police, said: “He was part of a loving and caring family, living with his mummy, daddy and his little baby brother. He was at the centre of our world.
“Noah was being assessed for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis. He also had mild hearing loss and was speech delayed. Despite the challenges he faced, he was learning every day.
“He was saying new words all the time and had only just started finding and using his little voice.
“One of the things we miss most is the special sound of his voice. It was unique, wonderful, and something we will carry with us forever.
“He absolutely adored his little baby brother. He loved spending time with him, entertaining him and making him laugh.
“He would follow him around and always wanted to be close to him. The bond they shared was incredibly special.”
Det Ch Insp Matthew Connick told the hearing that on September 15, Noah, of East Bergholt in Suffolk, was being “looked after by relatives and this was part of a normal routine for Noah”.
He said they walked to an under-fives play area and CCTV footage in the park “showed Noah playing with his relative”.
The first CCTV footage was timed at 2.13pm and he was last see playing at 2.37pm, said Mr Connick, who added the CCTV “is motion-activated so doesn’t provide continuous footage”.
He said the relative, who was not named at the hearing, had provided a statement to police.
The officer said Noah “left through a gap in the fence leading to the memorial garden where he left through an open gate”.
He said Noah went in the direction of Decoy Pond and he was “being closely followed by his relative who was trying to keep up with him”.
Flowers and balloons left after emergency services found the body of missing boy Noah Woods. Credit: ITV News Anglia
He said the relative “shouted after him”, but after 200 metres Noah could not be seen.
“Police were called and a large-scale search operation began,” Mr Connick said.
He said Noah was found by a Met Police diver “approximately five metres from the bank and within submerged tree roots”.
He said the depth was estimated at 1.8 metres at that point.
A post-mortem examination at Addenbrooke’s Hospital mortuary in Cambridge recorded his medical cause of death as pending further investigation, Mr Connick said.
Volunteers gathering during the search for the three-year-old. Credit: PA
He said Noah’s death was confirmed at 4.31pm by paramedics and his identity was formally confirmed by his mother Charlie Peck at Ipswich Hospital that evening.
Assistant coroner for Suffolk Jyoti Gill said at the outset of the hearing, which was not attended by family: “I would like to express my deepest condolences to Noah’s family and friends and all those affected by Noah’s death.”
She said at the end of the six-minute hearing: “The inquest is adjourned to a date to be fixed in due course. Once again, my deepest condolences.”
Noah’s father Rhys Woods paid tribute to his son in a message shared on a community Facebook group last week.
He described Noah as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give”, and added: “We are going to miss him so very much.”
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