NOAH WOODS, 3, LEFT PLAYGROUND THROUGH GAP IN FENCE BEFORE TRAGIC DEATH IN POND

BRANTHAM, SUFFOLK — The disappearance of 3-year-old Noah Woods ended in tragedy after the little boy left a playground through a gap in a fence, made his way toward a nearby pond and was found dead the following day.

Noah disappeared on the afternoon of September 15, 2026, after visiting a children’s play area on Merriam Close in Brantham, Suffolk, with a relative.

What followed was one of the largest community searches the area had seen, involving emergency services, specialist search teams and around 1,300 members of the public.

An inquest into Noah’s death opened in Ipswich on September 25 and was later adjourned. His death is not being treated as suspicious, while the precise cause of death remains under investigation.

CCTV REVEALED HOW NOAH LEFT THE PLAYGROUND

At the inquest, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing that Noah was being looked after by relatives and that the visit to the playground was part of his normal Tuesday routine.

CCTV footage showed Noah and his relative in the under-5s play area between approximately 2:13 p.m. and 2:37 p.m.

The cameras were motion-activated, meaning they did not provide continuous footage.

Investigators said Noah eventually left the play area through a gap in the fence leading toward a memorial garden.

He then went through an open gate and continued in the direction of Decoy Pond.

His relative followed closely behind and attempted to catch up with him. Police told the inquest that the relative called after Noah but lost sight of him after approximately 200 meters.

Police were then contacted and a major search operation began.

MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE JOINED THE SEARCH

The response to Noah’s disappearance quickly grew into a massive operation.

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

Around 1,300 members of the public also joined the search across Brantham and the surrounding area.

Police officers searched roads, paths, gardens and surrounding land while specialist teams examined areas around Decoy Pond.

The community response continued through the night as residents and volunteers desperately searched for the missing child.

NOAH’S BODY WAS FOUND IN DECOY POND

On September 16, Metropolitan Police divers searching Decoy Pond discovered the body of a child.

At the inquest, investigators said the body was found approximately five meters from the bank and 1.8 meters underwater, within submerged tree roots.

Noah’s mother, Charlie Peck, later confirmed his identity at Ipswich Hospital.

Police said Noah’s death was not being treated as suspicious, although further inquiries and investigations into the circumstances of his death remained necessary.

The coroner subsequently opened and adjourned the inquest, with a further hearing expected at a later date.

FAMILY REMEMBERS A HAPPY LITTLE BOY

Noah’s family described him as a happy, cheeky and playful child who loved laughing and making people around him smile.

He lived with his parents and baby brother and was described as being at the center of his family’s world.

The family said Noah adored his younger brother and loved following him around, entertaining him and making him laugh.

They also explained that Noah had mild hearing loss and delayed speech and was being assessed for autism, although he had not received a formal diagnosis.

Every Tuesday, he would visit the park with a treasured relative — a routine the family said had been filled with laughter, games and happy memories.

Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, paid tribute to his son after his death, describing him as the “sweetest and most innocent little boy.”

His family said they wanted Noah to be remembered not for the circumstances of his death, but for the joyful child he was.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND FENCE

The circumstances surrounding Noah’s escape from the play area have also drawn attention to the fencing around the playground.

The inquest heard that Noah was able to leave through a gap in the internal fence before reaching the memorial garden and an open gate.

The details have prompted questions about the physical separation between the children’s play area and the surrounding grounds.

Authorities continue to examine the circumstances as part of the wider investigation.

10 NHS STAFF REMOVED FROM DUTY OVER RECORDS ACCESS

A separate development has emerged since Noah’s death.

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that concerns had been raised over possible unauthorized access to Noah’s medical records.

The trust said 10 employees had been suspended or removed from active duty while an investigation was carried out.

The incident has also been reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office, which is making inquiries.

The trust apologized to Noah’s family, saying unauthorized access to patient information was unacceptable and that immediate action had been taken after concerns were raised.

The investigation into the records is separate from the police investigation into Noah’s death.

A COMMUNITY LEFT HEARTBROKEN

For the people of Brantham, Noah’s disappearance brought an extraordinary wave of community support before ending in devastating circumstances.

Hundreds of people searched alongside police and emergency crews, many of them strangers who simply wanted to help bring a missing child home.

Instead, the search ended with the discovery of Noah’s body.

His family has asked people to remember him as the little boy who loved to run, play chase, laugh and be close to the people he loved.

As the inquest continues, the circumstances surrounding Noah’s final moments remain under investigation.

For his family, however, the most important message is already clear: Noah was deeply loved, and he will never be forgotten.