The devastated parents of a 14-year-old boy who drowned in a river while playing with his twin brother have described their loss as "unimaginable".
Nishcay Patel and his brother Niyam were with friends at Beccles Quay near Fen Lane, in Suffolk, when they entered the River Waveney at around 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 2.
While Niyam quickly resurfaced from the water, there was no sign of Nishcay and emergency services were called to the scene.
A mass search to find the teenager saw teams called out from Suffolk Police, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, East of England Ambulance Service, air ambulance crew and HM Coastguard. But sadly, Nishcay's body was later found.
His parents Ketan and Prabtiben Patel, who run a newsagents in Beccles, said they had been inundated with messages of "kindness, love and support" from across the country.
They said: "We are deeply grateful to the Police, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service, and HM Coastguard for their swift and compassionate response during this incredibly painful time.
"Our heartfelt thanks also go out to the wonderful people of Beccles and those from across the country who have shown us so much kindness, love, and support.
"The outpouring of sympathy—from kind words and beautiful flowers to thoughtful gestures—has brought immense comfort to our family. We would especially like to thank Sir John Leman High School, Thirst Youth Hub, the Beccles Community UK Facebook page, and the local newspapers for their continued support and compassion.
"This loss is unimaginable, and as we grieve, we hold close the love of our friends, family, and customers. Your compassion has touched our hearts more deeply than words can express.
"To everyone who has supported our family—particularly the emergency services and those who went above and beyond—please accept our sincerest gratitude. As we take time to process this tragedy, we kindly ask for privacy and space, knowing your continued support surrounds us."
Family friend Richard Crozier, 80, told The Sun: "Nischay was a special person. He had a capacity for friendship across generations. He wasn't a boy of great numbers of words but he was a very tender-hearted lad."
A Suffolk Police spokesman stated: "Police can confirm the body of a teenager has been located in the River Waveney in Beccles. Officers were called to Beccles Quay, off Fen Lane, just before 7:30pm, following concerns for the safety of a teenage boy who had entered the river with friends but had not resurfaced.
"A multi-agency operation was launched, with police, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, East of England Ambulance Service, air ambulance crew and HM Coastguard all in attendance to the incident. Searches were conducted and sadly the body of a teenage boy has now been located and recovered from the water.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file with be prepared for the coroner in due course. The boy’s next of kin have been notified."
