Parents' tribute to son, eight, pulled from river

Eight-year-old Joshua Hillstead died a day after being pulled from the River Arrow

The parents of an eight-year-old boy who died after being pulled from a river have said he was the "kindest, most caring, and most considerate and gentle boy".

Joshua Hillstead, from Maypole, in Birmingham, died in hospital on 23 July after reportedly falling into the River Arrow in Alcester, Warwickshire.

Emergency services were called at 21:30 BST on 22 July to a scene behind Kingfisher Way.

Joshua died just two days before his ninth birthday, Warwickshire Police said.

He was a member of the International Kickboxing Academy, Wythall

Fondly-known by his family as Joshy, the young kickboxing enthusiast was said to have been "beautiful in every single way".

His family said in a statement released by police: "Mommy and Daddy are lost without you. You were such a big part of our family, and we will never be the same again. The day we lost you, we all lost a part of ourselves along with you.

“You were the kindest, most caring, and most considerate and gentle boy, and we are so incredibly proud that we were lucky enough to be your parents. Even though it was such a short time, you filled our hearts with so much love and joy."

Joshua's cheeky smile and funny, crazy side put a smile on everyone's face, his family have said in tribute

The statement continued: “Your cheeky smile and funny, crazy side were enough to cheer up anybody’s day and to put a smile on their face.

“You were so special Joshy, so beautiful in every single way."