A two-year-old boy who died after being found unresponsive in a lake was a ‘character’ who ‘filled all our hearts with joy and happiness’, his family has said.
The body of 2-year-old Greyson Birch, from Southampton, was pulled from the lake of a Hampshire beauty spot just over a week ago, with his police today naming him as his parents shared their memory of him.
In a touching tribute, his family said: ‘His memory will remain always and live through the smiles and joy of each individual who had the pleasure of meeting him.’
Greyson was discovered at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve near Fareham, Hampshire, on May 30 and taken to Southampton General Hospital, where he died four days later.
An 18-year-old man from Southampton, who police say is known to the boy, was arrested and bailed until June 27.
Greyson was described as a ‘character that neither family, friends or other persons will not and cannot forget’.
And relatives of ‘bubbly’ Greyson Birch said he had a ‘cheeky little smile’ which will ‘remain in their hearts forever’.
The body of 2-year-old Greyson Birch (above), of Southampton, was pulled from a lake in a Hampshire beauty spot on May 30. An 18-year-old man believed to have been with him at the time has been arrested and bailed
The tribute, issued by police, added: ‘His bubbly personality that filled all our hearts with joy and happiness will linger in this world.
‘Greyson was our light and life that will still shine to us all through our thoughts and memories. Greyson would love to dance, sing, play, just everything.
‘To know that each time we hear Twinkle Twinkle or someone plays Baby Shark and he’s not there dancing and clapping his hands kills us to the bottom of our hearts.’
People living near Swanwick Lake told how they saw more than 16 emergency service vehicles – including an air ambulance – rush to the scene on May 30.
A man who lives around 100 yards from the lakes said he saw around six police cars, two ambulances, fire engines and and also heard the air ambulance.
He said: ‘There were about five or six police cars, two ambulances and I heard the air ambulance above.
‘It was such a scene that all the local people came out to see what was going on.
‘We thought it was some sort of exercise to do with NATS which is the air traffic control centre down by the lake.’
Swanwick Lake in Hants (pictured) is part of a 36-hectacre nature reserve. Greyson’s body was pulled from a lake here on May 30
Police and a forensic officer at the scene on Monday, 31st May at Swanwick Lake in Hants
The toddler, from Southampton, Hants, was rushed 12 miles by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital, where he was then said to be in a ‘critical but stable condition’, but tragically passed away as a result of his injuries.
Today his heartbroken family released a photograph of the smiley blonde boy and paid tribute to him.
They said: ‘Greyson Birch, our much loved son, brother and cherished family member who has sadly been taken from us was a character that neither family, friends or other persons will not and cannot forget.
‘His bubbly personality that filled all our hearts with joy and happiness will linger in this world.
‘Greyson was our light and life that will still shine to us all through our thoughts and memories. Greyson would love to dance, sing, play, just everything!
‘To know that each time we hear Twinkle Twinkle or someone plays Baby Shark and he’s not there dancing and clapping his hands kills us to the bottom of our hearts.
‘The cheeky little smile that would grace our presence will remain in our family and friends’ hearts forever. I know he is now in a safe place watching over his sibling and all that came to be a part of his short but amazing life.
‘In this time of need we ask for all our family and close friends to be left to grieve and come to terms with the devastation that has been unwillingly let into our lives.
‘His memory will remain always and live through the smiles and joy of each individual who had the pleasure of meeting him.’
Hampshire Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding how Greyson came to be in the water, and are appealing for witnesses
An 18-year-old man, understood to have been with Greyson at the time, was arrested and bailed by Hampshire Police until the end of this month.
Detective Inspector Matt Gillooly, who is leading the investigation, previously said: ‘This is a very sad case, and our thoughts remain with the child’s family at this time.
‘We are still trying to establish exactly how this boy came to be in the water, and we are keeping an open mind regarding the circumstances.’
Hampshire Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding how Greyson came to be in the water, and appeal for anyone who was in this area between 7.45pm and 8.30pm to get in touch.
The 36 hectare site of Swanwick Lakes was once a clay pit for a local brick works.
It is described by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust as ‘a beautiful oasis for nature in an otherwise urban area. A mixture of woodland, lakes and meadows attracts a large array of species’.