Grieving mother leads the tributes to drowned Northampton teenager Michael Sheehan
Emotional tributes have been paid to a teenager from Northampton who drowned off the coast of Blackpool on Wednesday.
Lancashire Police yesterday confirmed 14-year-old Michael Sheehan died after he was plunged under the waves while playing with an inflatable rubber ring in the sea, near to the seaside resort's popular Central Pier.
A huge search and rescue operation, involving two helicopters, lifeboats and sea beach rescue teams, was then launched to find the youngster.
Ambulance crews took the teenager to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead with his family by his side that evening.
His heartbroken mother broke the news about her son's tragic death on the social networking website Facebook.
Alison Stirzaker's simple 17-word tribute to her son said: "RIP my darling son Michael Sheehan, aged 14, died tragically on holiday in Blackpool 28/07/10. Love you baby."
Within hours dozens of friends had left messages of condolence and support to the family.
Close family friend Yvonne Heath said: "There are no words that will take the pain away that you must all be feeling at this very very sad time, I can only hope that you all find your way through such a hard time."
Michael died after getting into difficulty as he was playing in the choppy water with his two brothers, one of whom is his twin.
The Chronicle & Echo understands the teenager was a pupil at Thomas Becket Catholic School. However, nobody was available to comment at the school yesterday.
Eyewitness John Huskinson, aged 18, who works on donkey rides near to the scene of the tragedy, said: "I saw the lads playing on a rubber ring. Suddenly they started screaming and shouting as it tipped up. It's really upsetting."
Brian George, Watch Officer, Liverpool Coastguard, said: "This incident highlights the dangers that can be encountered at the coast and we would remind parents that the use of inflatables with their children should be supervised and the toys should be tethered to the shore."
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