Toddler, 2, dies after being pulled from canal as neighbours claim he 'escaped to feed the ducks'

Police officers dragged the boy, reported to be just two years old, out of the canal and he was left in a critical condition.

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed the child died despite their best efforts.

WMAS said it sent several crews and the first ambulance was on the scene three minutes after they were called.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and a critical care paramedic were sent to the scene.

"On arrival, crews found a boy who had been pulled from the water by police colleagues in a critical condition," a spokesman said.

"He was receiving basic life support from officers and ambulance staff immediately took over to administer advanced life support.

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"Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, the child could not be saved and he was confirmed dead at the scene."

Offering one explanation as to what happened, neighbours said that the tot might have escaped his home to go and feed the ducks.

They added that they later heard "loud screams".

The neighbour said: "I've got two young ones myself and this canal is 100 metres from my house.

"Its very popular with dog walkers and people feeding the ducks. We've been down there plenty of times when we've had a bit of bread a few days out of date we think lets just feed the ducks. And they do, the kids love feeding the ducks.

"The first I saw was the police and then I went on the Whatsapp group. At that point it was, there's a two-year-old missing. The family do come and feed the birds, the ducks. The family are in the process of moving I think so the garage was open anyway for them to pack the car and whatnot.

"So he must have got out. He left the house, he went missing, under some circumstances. Whether he escaped through the garage because it was open, I'm not too sure. I heard a person screaming."

With temperatures skyrocketing, more Britons might look to hit the open water today.

Swimmers have been warned about the potential risk this summer, with a plea issued after a sunny spell last month.

Sam Hughes, water safety manager at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: "With the weather looking unsettled, we're still expecting people during the school summer holidays to head to coastal locations.

"We're reminding people to head for a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.

"If you do find yourself in difficulty, remember float to live: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing.

"Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can."

The UK recorded 236 water-related deaths in 2023, the National Water Safety Forum has claimed.