NOAH WOODS’ FATHER SHARES HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE AFTER THREE-YEAR-OLD FOUND IN POND

BRANTHAM, SUFFOLK — The father of three-year-old Noah Woods has shared a heartbreaking statement after his son was found in a pond following an extensive search that drew more than 1,000 people to the Suffolk village of Brantham.

Noah disappeared on Tuesday, September 15, after becoming separated from a relative during a visit to a playground on Merriam Close.

After more than 24 hours of searching, specialist dive teams recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond on Wednesday afternoon. Suffolk Police later confirmed that the child was Noah.

His father, Rhys Woods, shared an emotional tribute the following day.

“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken.”

Rhys described Noah as “the sweetest and most innocent little boy” and said his son had “nothing but love to give.”

He thanked the police, coastguard, paramedics, search teams and hundreds of members of the public who joined the effort to bring Noah home.

“It seems he has made an impact across the whole nation; you have all taken Noah into your own hearts,” Rhys wrote.

He said the compassion shown by strangers during the search had given the family comfort and strength during what he described as the darkest time of their lives.

A MASSIVE SEARCH FOR NOAH

The search began after Noah became separated from a relative at the playground in Brantham.

Police said the youngster was non-verbal and had partial hearing loss, making the search particularly urgent. He had also been undergoing an autism assessment.

More than 1,000 volunteers joined emergency services in searching roads, paths, fields and waterways around the village. Police, fire and rescue teams, HM Coastguard, search-and-rescue volunteers and specialist units were involved.

Decoy Pond became a major focus of the operation before divers recovered the child’s body from the water.

‘WE WERE JUST HOPING HE WOULD COME HOME’

Before the discovery, Noah’s family had continued to hope that he would be found safe.

Rhys later said the family had been telling themselves that Noah might simply be hiding somewhere nearby and that someone would eventually find him.

Instead, the discovery brought the outcome they had feared.

The family is now asking for privacy as they grieve.

Suffolk Police Superintendent Tom Pearse also urged the public to give Noah’s family time and space following the devastating discovery.

‘YOU WILL BE LOVED FOREVER’

In the final part of his tribute, Rhys addressed his son directly.

“Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much.”

He said it had been a privilege to be Noah’s parent and to have filled the boy’s short life with love.

The message was signed from Noah’s “daddy and mummy and little brother.”

Across Brantham, residents have continued leaving flowers, balloons, teddy bears and Bluey-themed tributes in memory of the three-year-old.

Police said the discovery was being treated as not suspicious, although inquiries were continuing and the circumstances remained unexplained.