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River body found is missing boy Family tribute to river death boy
(9 minutes later)
A tribute has been paid to a nine-year-old boy, whose body was found in a Snowdonia river by search teams. A family have said the death of a nine-year-old boy in a Snowdonia river has left an "unfillable gap".
Sean Laxen was swept away after falling near the Conwy Falls at Betws-y-Coed on Monday while walking with his mother and brother. They had been on holiday. Sean Laxen, from Norwich, was swept away after falling near the Conwy Falls at Betws-y-Coed on Monday while walking with his mother and brother.
The head teacher at Sean's school in Norwich said the whole community was "incredibly upset and shocked". A family tribute called him "a happy, playful and adoring child", who had used all his holiday money to buy a toy train for his younger brother Scott.
They also thanked all the rescue teams who took part in the search.
Rescue teams found Sean's body at about 1810 BST on Tuesday in a deep pool close to where he had disappeared.Rescue teams found Sean's body at about 1810 BST on Tuesday in a deep pool close to where he had disappeared.
Although Sean has tragically left us he has given us nine of the most wonderful years Family statement
A post mortem examination will be carried out on Thursday, after which an inquest will be opened and adjourned.A post mortem examination will be carried out on Thursday, after which an inquest will be opened and adjourned.
A statement from the family said Sean, with his brother, enjoyed beaches in Norfolk, countryside walks, cycle rides and nature, as well as steam trains, aeroplanes and dinosaurs.
'Incredibly upset'
His parents Linda and Richard said: "Coming from Norfolk both Sean and Scott had grown-up with water and as all children, were fascinated with it.
"As parents we constantly instilled the dangers and taught them to respect water."
They added: "Although Sean has tragically left us he has given us nine of the most wonderful years parents and a brother could have ever wanted, leaving us with treasured memories that will be with us forever."
The tribute said he had a "loving tendency" towards others and also loved dressing up, especially as Captain Hook and Harry Potter.
"More recently a fascination of Sean's was the story of the Titanic, having seen parts of the movie," said the family.
"He was always questioning why it happened and was recently given a construction model by a church friend, which we were going to build when he was a little older.
Rescue teams had been searching for almost 27 hours
"However, his summer compromise was a DIY wooden and plastic model made with his father and brother, whilst building a garden fence, which he was looking forward to painting."
The family also paid tribute to the search teams, whose altough "their courageous efforts could not have brought him back to life".
The search for Sean had continued for almost 27 hours and involved police divers, mountain rescue and firefighters among others.The search for Sean had continued for almost 27 hours and involved police divers, mountain rescue and firefighters among others.
Supt Richard Brough of North Wales Police said it was very upsetting for the rescue teams who had worked so hard in the hope of achieving a positive outcome.Supt Richard Brough of North Wales Police said it was very upsetting for the rescue teams who had worked so hard in the hope of achieving a positive outcome.
He said: "It's extremely distressing. It is the worst possible end. We always hoped to find somebody safe and well and able to give them treatment if they had been injured but unfortunately this has not been the case today. He said: "It's extremely distressing. It is the worst possible end."
Everybody is just incredibly upset and shocked - the whole community in fact. Ashley Best-White, acting head teacher Ashley Best-White, acting head teacher at Horsford All Saints VC Middle School, where Sean was a pupil, said: "Everybody is just incredibly upset and shocked - the whole community in fact."
"The family are very distraught. I think they were half expecting it as time has gone on but nevertheless, you always cling on to hope until you hear otherwise.
"We are supporting them through this very traumatic time."
Ashley Best-White, acting head teacher at Horsford All Saints VC Middle School, where Sean was a pupil, said he would be sadly missed.
She added: "I've spoken to lots of teachers at the school to make them aware of what's happened, obviously.
"And everybody is just incredibly upset and shocked - the whole community in fact."
Sean and his family had been staying in a rented cottage in the area.Sean and his family had been staying in a rented cottage in the area.
Rescue teams had been searching for almost 27 hours
He had been walking along a footpath when he slipped 6ft and his mother and brother heard him fall into the water.He had been walking along a footpath when he slipped 6ft and his mother and brother heard him fall into the water.
His mother alerted the emergency services at around 1515 BST on Monday and a massive search and rescue operation of the river Conwy and its banks was launched involving around 40 people. His mother alerted the emergency services at around 1515 BST on Monday and a massive search and rescue operation was launched involving around 40 people until the early hours of the following morning.
Teams of police divers using thermal imaging cameras underwater continued to look for the boy until around 0115 BST on Tuesday. The search resumed on Tuesday along the banks of the river Conwy, which is believed to have been swollen and fast flowing following recent heavy rainfall.
An air ambulance, mountain rescuers, the fire service and dogs aided search efforts by combing the river banks.
They patrolled the river for 10 hours after Sean's disappearance and the search was resumed at 0800 BST on Tuesday.
Swollen river
The river Conwy is believed to be swollen and fast flowing following recent heavy rainfall.
Chris Lloyd, from the Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team, said it was always distressing to deal with a fatality, especially of such a young child.
"However, I think it's relief that we have been successful in our find, because it does put an end to the searching and does give a result and does help the family they can now start their grieving process," he said.
He added the fact the river Conwy cuts through a steep rocky gorge and has a series of steps that create fast and white water had made it a difficult area to search.
In addition, the banks were also very steep and rocky or heavily vegetated with trees and brambles.