NOAH WOODS, 3, LEFT PLAYGROUND THROUGH GAP IN FENCE BEFORE HE WAS FOUND DEAD IN POND

BRANTHAM, Suffolk — Three-year-old Noah Woods left a playground through a gap in a fence before walking toward a nearby pond, an inquest has heard, as new details emerged about the final moments before the toddler disappeared.

Noah went missing on September 15 while visiting an under-5s play area in Merriam Close, Brantham, with a relative. His disappearance triggered a huge search involving emergency services and around 1,300 members of the public.

His body was recovered from Decoy Pond the following afternoon by Metropolitan Police divers. Suffolk Police have said his death is not being treated as suspicious.

CCTV CAPTURED NOAH PLAYING BEFORE HE DISAPPEARED

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told Suffolk Coroner’s Court that Noah was being cared for by relatives as part of what was described as his normal routine.

CCTV footage showed Noah playing at the under-5s playground with his relative.

The first recorded footage was at approximately 2:13 p.m., while Noah was last seen on the camera at around 2:37 p.m.

The CCTV system was motion-activated, meaning it did not provide continuous footage of everything that happened.

According to evidence given at the inquest, Noah then left the play area through a gap in the fence leading toward a memorial garden. He subsequently went through an open gate and continued in the direction of Decoy Pond.

RELATIVE TRIED TO FOLLOW HIM

The inquest heard that Noah’s relative followed closely behind him and attempted to keep up.

The relative reportedly shouted after Noah, but after approximately 200 meters, the child could no longer be seen.

Police were then called and a large-scale missing-person search began.

The operation brought together specialist police search teams, firefighters, coastguard personnel, ambulance crews, search-and-rescue volunteers and other agencies.

Around 1,300 members of the public also joined the effort, with people traveling to Brantham to help search for the missing toddler.

BODY RECOVERED FROM DECOY POND

After an intensive search lasting through the night, Metropolitan Police divers recovered Noah’s body from Decoy Pond on September 16.

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

Paramedics confirmed Noah’s death at 4:31 p.m. His mother, Charlie Peck, later formally identified him at Ipswich Hospital.

A post-mortem examination was carried out, but the medical cause of death remained pending further investigation when the inquest opened.

The inquest was opened and then adjourned on September 25. A further hearing will take place at a later date.

FAMILY REMEMBERS NOAH AS A HAPPY LITTLE BOY

After his death, Noah’s family asked that he be remembered for the happiness he brought to those around him.

They described him as a “happy, cheeky, playful” child who loved laughing and giggling.

The family said Noah was surrounded by his parents and baby brother and was at the center of their lives.

They also said Noah had mild hearing loss and speech delay and had been undergoing an assessment for autism, although he had not received a formal diagnosis.

His family said he had recently begun saying new words and described his voice as something they would carry with them forever.

They also spoke about the special bond Noah shared with his baby brother, saying he loved entertaining him and making him laugh.

NHS INVESTIGATES UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO NOAH’S MEDICAL RECORDS

A separate development has emerged since Noah’s death.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust said 10 employees had been removed from active duty or suspended while an investigation was carried out into unauthorized access to Noah’s medical records following his disappearance.

The trust apologized to Noah’s family and said the access was completely unacceptable. The matter has also been reported to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office.

The data-breach investigation is separate from the police investigation into Noah’s death.

POLICE SAY THERE IS NO SUSPICION OF A CRIMINAL ACT

Suffolk Police have repeatedly said Noah’s death is not being treated as suspicious, while stressing that enquiries must be completed before the full circumstances can be determined.

The force has also asked the public to respect the privacy of Noah’s family following the enormous response to the search.

For the family, the focus now remains on remembering Noah not for the tragic circumstances of his death, but for the short life he shared with those who loved him.

Noah Woods was three years old. His family says they want his final memory to be one of joy.