NOAH WOODS: INQUEST REVEALS HOW THREE-YEAR-OLD LEFT PLAYGROUND BEFORE TRAGIC DEATH

An inquest has revealed how three-year-old Noah Woods left a Suffolk playground through a gap in a fence before heading towards Decoy Pond, where his body was recovered the following day after a huge search involving around 1,300 people.

Noah disappeared on September 15, 2026, after visiting a playground in Brantham with a relative.

The subsequent search brought together police, emergency services, specialist teams and hundreds of members of the public.

But the inquest has now provided a clearer account of Noah’s movements during the crucial minutes before he disappeared from sight.

NOAH LEFT THROUGH A GAP IN THE FENCE

The inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court heard that Noah had been playing in an under-fives area in Brantham.

CCTV showed him at the playground between approximately 2.13pm and 2.37pm.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that Noah subsequently left the play area through a gap in the fence.

He then entered a nearby memorial garden before leaving through an open gate.

A relative was following closely behind and was attempting to keep up with him.

The relative shouted after Noah, but after approximately 200 metres, the three-year-old could no longer be seen.

Police were then called and a major search operation began.

A MASSIVE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING BOY

Noah’s disappearance triggered an extraordinary response from the local community.

Around 1,300 members of the public joined police and emergency services in the search.

Specialist police search teams were deployed alongside dog units, while the National Police Air Service, HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the Metropolitan Police Dive Team, Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue and ambulance-service personnel also assisted.

The search focused heavily on areas around Brantham, including nearby water.

As the hours passed, concern for Noah grew.

The community response became one of the defining features of the search, with people travelling from outside the immediate area to help look for the missing child.

Police later thanked the public for what they described as an enormous outpouring of support.

NOAH WAS FOUND IN DECOY POND

On the afternoon of September 16, officers from the Metropolitan Police Dive Team recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham.

The inquest heard that Noah was found approximately five metres from the bank, among submerged tree roots.

The water at that location was estimated to be around 7ft (1.8 metres) deep.

Noah’s death was not being treated as suspicious.

His identity was formally confirmed by his mother, Charlie Peck, at Ipswich Hospital later that evening, according to the inquest.

The inquest has since been adjourned to a later date.

HIS FAMILY REMEMBERS A HAPPY LITTLE BOY

Following Noah’s death, his family released a deeply personal tribute through Suffolk Constabulary.

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

Noah lived with his parents and baby brother.

His family said he adored his younger sibling and loved spending time with him.

They also described the close relationship he had with the relative who regularly took him to the park on Tuesdays.

The family said their trips involved playing chase, running around and exploring the playground.

They want Noah to be remembered for those happy moments rather than the circumstances surrounding his death.

NOAH HAD BEEN LEARNING TO FIND HIS VOICE

The family also revealed that Noah had been undergoing an assessment for autism, although he had not received a diagnosis.

He had mild hearing loss and was speech delayed.

His family said he had nevertheless been learning new words and had only recently begun finding and using his voice more.

They described his voice as unique and said it was one of the things they would miss most.

They also remembered how affectionate he was.

Noah loved hugs and kisses, holding hands and being close to the people around him.

His mother said she wanted people to take something from the tragedy.

“Hold their children a little tighter, cherish every moment, and never take those precious memories for granted,” she said.

POLICE SAY HIS DEATH WAS NOT SUSPICIOUS

From the moment Noah’s body was discovered, police said there was no indication that his death was suspicious.

Suffolk Constabulary has continued to make enquiries for the coroner, but there has been no public suggestion of criminal involvement in his death.

The inquest is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding Noah’s death.

The hearing has already provided important details about how he left the playground and the route he took before his relative lost sight of him.

However, a number of questions surrounding the final moments remain for the coroner to consider.

THE COMMUNITY THAT SEARCHED FOR HIM

For more than a day, Brantham became the centre of a huge search effort.

Residents, volunteers and emergency responders searched roads, fields, paths and areas around the water in the hope of bringing Noah home safely.

The response reached far beyond the village.

Suffolk Constabulary said the public support came not only from across Suffolk but from people elsewhere in the country and beyond.

But the search ultimately ended in tragedy.

Now, as the inquest continues, Noah’s family is left with memories of a little boy they describe as loving, playful and full of joy.

A small gap in a fence marked the beginning of a heartbreaking sequence of events — one that ended at Decoy Pond and left an entire community mourning a three-year-old boy.