NOAH WOODS TRAGEDY DEEPENS AS INQUEST REVEALS HOW TODDLER LEFT PLAYGROUND — 10 NHS STAFF REMOVED OVER RECORDS INVESTIGATION

BRANTHAM, SUFFOLK — The heartbreaking case of 3-year-old Noah Woods has taken another painful turn, just days after his death was formally identified.

An inquest has revealed new details about the final moments before Noah disappeared from a Suffolk playground, while an NHS trust has separately launched an investigation after concerns that his medical records may have been accessed without authorization.

Ten NHS employees have now been removed from active duty or suspended while the investigation continues.

The developments come after Noah’s disappearance triggered one of the largest community searches in the area, with around 1,300 members of the public joining police and emergency crews in the desperate effort to find him.

His body was recovered from nearby Decoy Pond the following day.

NOAH LEFT THROUGH A GAP IN THE FENCE

Noah disappeared on the afternoon of September 15, 2026, after visiting an under-fives play area in Merriam Close, Brantham.

An inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court heard that Noah had been at the playground with a relative as part of his normal routine.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that CCTV showed Noah playing with his relative.

The footage recorded him at approximately 2:13 p.m., with his last recorded appearance at around 2:37 p.m.

But investigators warned that the CCTV was motion-activated and therefore did not provide continuous coverage of everything happening inside the playground.

According to evidence presented at the inquest, Noah then left the play area through a gap in the fence.

He entered a memorial garden and continued through an open gate.

From there, he headed in the direction of Decoy Pond.

His relative immediately tried to follow him.

Police told the inquest that the relative was running after Noah and shouting to him, but after approximately 200 metres, the child was no longer visible.

Police were then called and the major search operation began.

A DESPERATE SEARCH

What followed was a huge multi-agency effort.

Specialist police search teams were joined by HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the National Police Air Service, the Metropolitan Police Dive Team, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue volunteers, ambulance crews and other agencies.

The community response was equally extraordinary.

Approximately 1,300 members of the public joined the search, combing Brantham and surrounding areas looking for any sign of the missing toddler.

For hours, people searched roads, paths, fields and areas surrounding the pond, hoping that Noah might still be found alive.

But on the afternoon of September 16, the search ended in tragedy.

Metropolitan Police divers recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond.

NOAH WAS FOUND UNDERWATER

At the inquest, investigators gave more details about where Noah was discovered.

His body was located approximately five metres from the bank, among submerged tree roots.

The water at that location was estimated to be around 1.8 metres deep.

Paramedics confirmed Noah’s death at approximately 4:31 p.m.

His identity was formally confirmed by his mother, Charlie Peck, at Ipswich Hospital later that evening. Suffolk Police subsequently confirmed the identification.

Police have said that Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

However, the medical cause of death remains pending further investigation, and the coroner’s inquest has been adjourned to a later date.

HIS FAMILY WANTS NOAH REMEMBERED FOR WHO HE WAS

Following the inquest, Noah’s family released a deeply personal tribute.

They described him as a “happy, cheeky, playful three-year-old boy” who loved to laugh and giggle and brought joy wherever he went.

Noah lived with his mother, father and baby brother and, according to his family, was at the center of their world.

He was undergoing an assessment for autism but had not received a formal diagnosis. His family also said he had mild hearing loss and was speech delayed.

Despite those challenges, they said he was learning every day and had recently begun finding and using his voice.

One of the things they said they would miss most was the unique sound of his voice.

His family also spoke about the close relationship he shared with his baby brother.

Noah adored him, entertained him and loved making him laugh.

His father, Rhys Woods, previously described his son as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give.”

NOW, AN NHS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED

Just days after the inquest, another development emerged.

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust announced that it had launched an urgent internal investigation after concerns that Noah’s medical records may have been viewed inappropriately.

The trust said it had taken immediate steps to secure his records and prevent further access that was not for a legitimate clinical reason.

It has also reported the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The trust said 10 people working for the organization had been removed from active duty or suspended while the investigation is carried out.

The precise information that may have been accessed has not been publicly disclosed.

Importantly, the investigation has not established publicly that all 10 employees personally accessed Noah’s records improperly. Their removal from duty is a precaution while the facts are established.

“COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE”

Dr Martin Mansfield, the trust’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer and senior official responsible for health and care information, apologized directly to Noah’s family.

He said any unauthorized access to patient information was “completely unacceptable.”

The trust acknowledged that the incident had caused additional distress to Noah’s family at an already devastating time.

It said disciplinary action would be taken where appropriate based on the findings of the investigation.

The development has also come amid wider concerns about inappropriate access to NHS patient records.

NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey has told NHS trust leaders that staff suspected of improperly accessing patient information should have their system access removed and be suspended while investigations take place.

A FAMILY ASKED FOR PRIVACY

Throughout the search, Noah’s family received an enormous amount of support from strangers across Suffolk and beyond.

Police repeatedly thanked members of the public who volunteered their time to help search for him.

But after his body was found, authorities asked people to give his loved ones time and privacy to grieve.

That request remains particularly important now, as the family faces not only the loss of their little boy but also an ongoing inquest and a separate investigation involving his medical records.

The NHS trust has said it will continue to keep the family informed as the investigation progresses.

THE SEARCH ENDED, BUT THE QUESTIONS REMAIN

Noah’s disappearance lasted only around 24 hours before the search ended with the discovery of his body.

But for his family, the consequences will last far longer.

The inquest has begun piecing together the timeline of his final afternoon — from the playground CCTV, to the gap in the fence, to the memorial garden and finally to Decoy Pond.

The medical cause of death is still pending, while the coroner’s investigation remains open.

At the same time, an NHS trust is investigating how concerns arose over access to Noah’s confidential medical records.

For a family who simply wants their son remembered as the joyful little boy he was, the tragedy has now entered another difficult chapter.

Noah was three years old. He loved to laugh, loved his baby brother and was loved deeply by his family.

And as the investigations continue, his family is left to grieve the little boy they say was truly at the center of their world.