A TEENAGE boy has been charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of Sean Stevens who died hours after being rescued from a Worcester canal.
The 17 year-old male, from Worcester, will appear at Worcester Magistrates’ Court this morning (Saturday).
It follows an incident at Bilford Top Lock on the Worcestershire and Birmingham Canal on Thursday (March 31) at 8.50pm.
West Mercia Police were called to the scene after concerns for his safety and the teenager was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead at 11.15pm.
Supt Kevin Purcell said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Sean’s family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.
“A full and thorough investigation is being conducted into this incident and we are working to establish how Sean came to be in the canal.
“I would like to appeal to anyone who has any information about this incident to contact police.
“We are particularly interested in talking to anyone who saw a group of teenagers, or young adults, in and around the canal path from Worcester city centre up to Perdiswell last night from 7pm onwards,” he added.
Two ambulances, two responder paramedics and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team were sent to tackle the incident as well as Water First Responders from Worcester Fire Station.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “A teenage boy was rescued from the water by the fire service and was in cardiac arrest. Ambulance staff commenced advanced life support at the scene and en route to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
“A second patient, who reportedly jumped in the water to rescue the teen was also rescued from the canal.
The second patient was also taken to hospital as a precaution.
Members of the public with information are urged to call police on 101, quoting incident number 660s of 31 March.
