Noah Woods died after leaving play area 'through a gap in the fence'

The inquest into the death of Noah Woods has confirmed that he died after leaving the play area through a gap in the fence.

The three-year-old's body was tragically found in a nearby lake following an extensive search earlier this month, with Suffolk Police later confirming that the body belonged to the toddler.

Noah's inquest is currently ongoing in Ipswich, although a cause of death has not yet been confirmed despite the post-mortem being carried out.

Police are not treating the toddler's death as suspicious in any way, with Noah's relative losing track of the youngster after he escaped through the gap in the fence and headed for the pond, something that was complicated further by him being partially deaf and non-verbal.

After search operations were expanded, his body was found submerged near some tree roots in the nearby Decoy Pond.

Noah’s father Rhys Woods paid tribute to his son in a message shared on a community Facebook group.

He wrote: “There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much.”

Little Noah has been missing since 3pm on Tuesday (Family Handout/Suffolk Police/PA Wire)

Superintendent Tom Pearse from Suffolk police said that the body of a child had been discovered in a nearby pond and that Noah’s family had been told, after a huge search operation which included sniffer dogs, a helicopter and volunteers from the public.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all those who knew him,” he told journalists at Brantham Leisure Centre.

Noah’s body was recovered from Decoy Pond, a fishing lake near to the play area in Merriam Close where he was last seen.

Specialist dive teams from the Metropolitan Police had been called in to help with the hunt for the little boy and were seen searching the water on Wednesday afternoon.

Volunteers turned up in their masses to help with the search (PA)

Mr Pearse said: “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us search.

“As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heart-warming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place.

“I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this.”

Noah, who disappeared after becoming separated from a relative, was non-verbal and partially deaf and would not have responded to his name if called.

As well as a massive ground search, helicopters, sniffer dogs, thermal imaging were used to try and find Noah, as officers went door to door and scoured CCTV.