Noah Woods found dead in Suffolk lake after leaving play area through 'gap in fence', inquest hears
The three-year-old was found by a Met Police diver in a nearby pond
Three-year-old Noah Woods, who was found dead in a lake following a huge search involving over a thousand volunteers had left a play area "through a gap in the fence", an inquest has heard.
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Noah, who was non-verbal and partially deaf, vanished from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, when he became separated from a relative on September 15 before later being found in nearby Decoy Pond.
A search for the tot included more than one thousand volunteers who helped the police.
An inquest in Ipswich on Friday had left a play area "through a gap in the fence".
The hearing was told that Noah was closely followed by a family member looking after him and trying to catch up, before he vanished down a set of steps.
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Read more: 'You'll never be forgotten': Family's heartbreaking tribute to tragic Noah, 3, after boy found dead
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that Noah, 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 the 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 footage "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 a nearby lake, known locally as Decoy Pond, and he was "being closely followed by his relative who was trying to keep up with him".
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, but the tot was later discovered by a Met Police diver around five metres from the bank and "within submerged tree roots".
Noah’s death 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 family said in a tribute on Friday: "Noah was a happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy who loved to laugh, loved to giggle and who brought joy wherever he went.
"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."
Noah’s mother Charlie added: "If there is one thing we could ask of people, it is to hold their children a little tighter, cherish every moment, and never take those precious memories for granted."