The family of Sonny Leese Clark, the 17-year-old who lost his life after falling into Rudyard Lake, have paid heartfelt tribute to their ‘lovely, kind, and good-natured’ son as his tragic accident has left a community in mourning.
Sonny, along with two friends, found themselves in distress after they fell into the lake in Staffordshire on the evening of Friday, February 23. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 9:30 pm.
While Sonny’s two companions managed to reach safety and were subsequently treated and discharged from the hospital, tragically, Sonny did not survive the incident.
Specialist search teams tirelessly scoured the lake, leading to the recovery of Sonny’s body around 5:00 pm on Sunday. The loss of the vibrant young man has left a profound void in the lives of his family and the community.
In a touching tribute, Sonny’s family expressed their grief, saying, “Sonny – our lovely, kind, good-natured boy. You had grown into a fantastic young man. Always helpful, adventurous, fearless, and quick to smile.”
They continued, “You were a very special and wonderful brother to your siblings, and our lives are diminished for your loss. We love you and always will. 17 and his life was just beginning the next chapter; his book was too short.”
The Staffordshire Police have been providing support to Sonny’s family during this difficult time, acknowledging the profound impact of the tragic incident on the local community.
Chief Inspector Mark Barlow, from the Moorlands local policing team, expressed condolences, stating, “Our thoughts and condolences are very much with the boy’s family at this distressing time.
He further extended gratitude to the public for their cooperation and support during the search efforts.
The loss of Sonny Leese Clark serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones.
