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Inquiry as boy, 13, dies canoeing Inquiry as boy, 13, dies canoeing
(20 minutes later)
The death of a 13-year-old boy while canoeing on a river during a school trip is being investigated by police. The death of a promising young footballer while canoeing on a river during a school trip is being investigated by police.
Stewart McEwan, from the Earley area of Reading, Berkshire, died during a canoeing exercise on the River Usk near Brecon, say Dyfed-Powys Police. Stewart McEwan, 13, from Earley in Reading, Berkshire, died during a canoeing exercise on the River Usk near Brecon, Powys, on Saturday afternoon.
His parents said they were "devastated" to lose someone "who grabbed life".His parents said they were "devastated" to lose someone "who grabbed life".
The alarm was raised on Saturday afternoon and Stewart was airlifted to hospital in Hereford, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Stewart, who had been signed by Reading FC, was airlifted to Hereford Hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival.
Stewart had been on a week-long trip to Brecon, and police have taped off two areas of the river about a mile east of the town. Stewart had been on a week-long trip to Brecon, and Dyfed-Powys Police have taped off two areas of the river about a mile east of the town.
Police said the circumstances surrounding his death were still being established, but confirmed that had entered the water.
In a statement, his parents said: "We are devastated by the loss of Stewart.In a statement, his parents said: "We are devastated by the loss of Stewart.
"He was a boy who grabbed life. He loved his sport and there wasn't anything he didn't enjoy. For the inexperienced it's the place to start out canoeing Robert Spencer, canoeist"He was a boy who grabbed life. He loved his sport and there wasn't anything he didn't enjoy. For the inexperienced it's the place to start out canoeing Robert Spencer, canoeist
"We were very proud of all his sport achievements particularly when he was signed by Reading Football Club." "We were very proud of all his sport achievements particularly when he was signed by Reading Football Club this year and would like to thank the coaching staff at Reading Academy for their kindness and support."
Stewart's body was recovered in a joint operation between Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.Stewart's body was recovered in a joint operation between Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
The fire service sent a rescue boat from its Hay-on-Wye station to assist in the operation, which began at about 1500 GMT.The fire service sent a rescue boat from its Hay-on-Wye station to assist in the operation, which began at about 1500 GMT.
Canoeist Robert Spencer said it was a "grade two" river which was "fairly relaxed".Canoeist Robert Spencer said it was a "grade two" river which was "fairly relaxed".
"The water levels are fairly low," he said."The water levels are fairly low," he said.
"There are no real danger spots. You get one or two rapids but they are fairly easy to handle."There are no real danger spots. You get one or two rapids but they are fairly easy to handle.
"You may get some undercurrent under roots and tree branches. But generally, a relatively safe river. "You may get some undercurrent under roots and tree branches. But generally, a relatively safe river."But for the inexperienced it's the place to start out canoeing."A police officer at the taped-off area of the riverbank along the Usk
"But for the inexperienced it's the place to start out canoeing."
He was shocked that there had been a death on the river.He was shocked that there had been a death on the river.
"I'm not sure what the levels were like yesterday, maybe they were slightly higher, but it's really shocking."I'm not sure what the levels were like yesterday, maybe they were slightly higher, but it's really shocking.
"I've not heard of any mishaps before on this river. Generally if you go up to three or four grade rivers you get some danger spots, but this is a relatively safe river.""I've not heard of any mishaps before on this river. Generally if you go up to three or four grade rivers you get some danger spots, but this is a relatively safe river."
Another canoeist, James Roberts, said: "It's quite an easy river to paddle. There aren't many danger areas so it's good fun, but safe.Another canoeist, James Roberts, said: "It's quite an easy river to paddle. There aren't many danger areas so it's good fun, but safe.
"This is quite an easy place.""This is quite an easy place."
A post-mortem examination on Stewart is yet to be carried out.A post-mortem examination on Stewart is yet to be carried out.