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Search forHoliday boy drowns swimming in Broad
Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 07:30
Zabiullah Assadi, of Victoria Street, was swimming in a waterway at Whitlingham Little Broad, near Norwich, with his 15-year-old cousin when the tragedy happened.
Emergency services launched a major search for him after he was reported missing on Sunday evening.
Coastguards, helicopters, boats, passers-by and members of the boy's family were among those who joined the frantic rescue bid but Zabiullah was found dead two hours later, at about 7.30pm.
Yesterday, the broad was cordoned off with police tape. A single bunch of flowers had been placed on the edge of the water where the youngster drowned.
Police said that Zabiullah, who was known as Zabi, and his family had been visiting relatives in Norfolk.
Mike Roper, programme manager at Whitlingham outdoor education centre, said: "This appears to have been a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies are with the young boy's family."
He added: "The boy was not on an organised activity at the centre and is thought to have been swimming in Little Broad when he got into difficulties."
Fire officers who joined the rescue bid spent 50 minutes in the water wearing standard breathing apparatus as they desperately tried to locate the youngster.
The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held.
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