8-year-old boy dies after falling into Warwickshire river

An eight-year-old boy has tragically died after falling into the River Arrow in Warwickshire. Joshua Hillstead was found in the water at around 9.30pm on Monday (July 22).

Police were called to a report of a boy who had fallen into the River Arrow at the back of Kingfisher Way in Alcester. He was pulled from the water and given CPR.

Joshua, from Maypole in Birmingham, spent the next 24 hours being treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. He died of complications from drowning late yesterday evening (Tuesday, July 23).

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Officers are supporting his family following the tragedy and have urged people to “be cautious around waterways”. A second child was also in the water but did not require further treatment and was returned home, Warwickshire Police said.

DI Heidi Twynham said: “The loss of a child is devastating and we offer our condolences to the family following this tragic accident. We liaise with the family to provide support.

“Swift, unpredictable currents and invisible deeper sections make rivers dangerous places, especially for children and insecure swimmers. Please be careful around our waterways.

“Thank you to our officers, members of the emergency services and hospital staff for all you have done over the last few days.”

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