A distraught father has expressed his gratitude to the 'two lads' who attempted to rescue his teenage son from drowning, urging them to come forward so he can personally thank them. The boy, identified locally as Reco Puttock, aged 13, tragically lost his life after getting into difficulties at Leadbeater Dam, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, during a scorching heatwave that saw temperatures exceed 38°C.
Father's Emotional Plea
Alan Damon Robinson, believed to be from Bradford, took to Facebook to appeal directly to the would-be rescuers. He wrote: 'To the lads that jumped in please message me so I can come down and shake your hands, like no joke put the message out. I want the two men or boys to message me. You tried, I need to shake your hands needed heads all over (sic) just message that's all I ask.'
Wave of Teenage Tragedies
Reco was one of four teenagers who died in water-related incidents across the UK over the bank holiday weekend. The RNLI had issued a stark warning just days earlier, urging young people to exercise caution near the coast. In a separate incident, a man in his 60s died while attempting to save two family members struggling in the water off a beach in Padstow, Cornwall.
Tributes and Investigation
Flowers have been left at the scene with heartfelt messages such as 'RIP Reco. Miss you millions' and 'RIP Reco. You will be forever missed.' The teenager drowned in front of dozens of onlookers at the popular swimming spot. His mother paid tribute, describing him as close to his three sisters, especially his older sister. She told the Telegraph and Argus: 'He loved being out with his friends. That's what he enjoyed most. I don't know what to feel, I think I've just cried and cried since about 7am this morning… I don't think I can bring myself to any more at the minute.'
West Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers were called to Leadbeater Dam on Lumb Lane at 3:18 pm on 25 May following reports of a teenage boy in difficulty. The body of a 13-year-old boy was recovered from the water and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Calderdale CID is conducting enquiries, but there are no suspicious circumstances.
