Family Pays Tribute

The parents of a 12 year old who died after falling into the River Medway on Bank Holiday Monday, have paid a moving tribute to him.

Alex Chappell's family say he will always be in their hearts, and words cannot describe their loss.

The school boy was playing with friends on a rope swing over the water at a park near The Stampers in Tovil, when he fell in to the water and got into difficulties at about 2.30pm.

Fire crews and police officers were called to the scene to search for Alex, and his body was pulled from the water nearly two hours later.

His mother Gina Tweddell and father, Adam Ottaway paid tribute to his memory: “We will always remember the joy, the fun, the cheekiness and the stubbornness you gave us. You always knew how to keep us on our toes in times of laughter and sorrow.

"We have too many memories to choose from or to write down, yet all of them were special. Who can forget the love and kindness you gave. We are proud to have you as a son and we will always love you. Words can’t explain the emotion and loss we feel."

Alex family say he had a passion for woodworking and making things and had been working on stripping a BMX with his Granddad before he died. Grandparents Phil and Angela Tweddell said: "Alex often came over to stay at weekends and during the school holidays enjoying the freedom of playing in the woods, kicking the football around and throwing the various toys around for our dog Woody.

"His last day with us he was helping his nanny try to find out what was nibbling the carrots that she had to feed to the guinea pigs, then he went to the wood shed where he started stripping his BMX ready for a respray and there it still is.”

Alex Tweddell’s entire family wish to extend their gratitude to everyone who helped to find Alex. They say they are "eternally grateful".