The family of a three-year-old boy who was found dead in a lake after going missing from a playground in Suffolk have paid tribute to him as a “happy, cheeky, playful” child who “brought joy wherever he went.” Noah Woods, from East Bergholt, disappeared on September 15 after leaving an under-fives play area in Brantham through a gap in the fence, separating him from the relative supervising him at the time, an inquest heard.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick told the hearing in Ipswich that Noah was being looked after by relatives as part of his normal routine. They had gone to the play area in Merriam Close where CCTV footage showed Noah playing with the relative between 2:13 pm and 2:37 pm. The cameras, which were motion-activated and did not film continuously, captured Noah leaving the playground via a gap in the fence that led to a memorial garden. From there, he exited through an open gate and ran in the direction of a nearby body of water known locally as Decoy Pond.

According to DCI Connick, the relative was closely following Noah and called after him but lost sight of him after about 200 yards. Noah was later found by Metropolitan Police divers the following afternoon, September 16, approximately five meters from the bank of Decoy Pond, trapped among submerged tree roots in water estimated to be around 1.8 meters deep.

A large-scale search for Noah involved approximately 1,300 volunteers, the National Police Air Service, HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, and Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue. Despite the extensive efforts, Noah was not located until hours later. His death is not being treated as suspicious, though the coroner has said that the medical cause of death remains under investigation pending further tests.

Noah’s family released a statement describing him as the centre of their world and highlighting his affectionate nature. They said Noah was being assessed for autism but had not received a diagnosis. He also had mild hearing loss and was speech delayed but was making progress in learning new words and beginning to use his voice. The family recalled his special bond with his baby brother, whom he adored and enjoyed entertaining.

They expressed gratitude to the community and emergency services involved in the search and support efforts. A tribute to Noah was displayed at a recent Ipswich Town football match, where players wore black armbands in his memory. A fundraising campaign has raised over £100,000 to support the family.

Assistant Coroner Jyoti Gill opened and adjourned the inquest, extending condolences to Noah’s family and friends. The inquest will resume at a later date once further investigations are complete. Noah’s mother urged others to cherish every moment with their children, emphasizing the importance of holding loved ones close.