On Saturday, a mother and her young son died after getting into difficulty in the water at Elthorne Park in Ealing, west London. Emergency responders recovered both individuals from the water. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police received the initial call just before 4:30 p.m. local time. This triggered a joint emergency response by the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.
Detective Superintendent Pete Thackray from the West Area Command Unit addressed the situation. He confirmed that all initial indications show the circumstances are not suspicious. Police are currently working to identify and notify the pair’s next of kin.
The incident sparked a massive local operation. Authorities blocked off the park entrance until roughly 10:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Elthorne Park is bordered by the River Brent and the Grand Union Canal. Local residents noted the river is not easily accessed directly from the park grounds. This indicates the victims likely went beyond the standard boundaries before entering the water.
The breaking news has stunned the local area. Liberal Democrat councillor for Ealing Common Jon Ball issued a public statement offering his thoughts to the family of those involved.