Emergency services have made a tragic discovery at a popular Midlands beauty spot, recovering a body from the water.
Discovery at the Water Park
A human body was found in the water at Branston Water Park in Burton-on-Trent. A large contingent of emergency services, including police, attended the scene on Thursday, 8 January 2026 to conduct the recovery operation.
An East Staffordshire Police spokesperson confirmed the discovery, stating: "We’re currently at the scene in Branston, Burton-on-Trent, following the discovery of a human body in the water." They added that crews expected to be in the area for a considerable time while they worked to safely retrieve the body.
Link to Missing Person Search
Police revealed the search at the park has been ongoing for 'several weeks' in connection with the disappearance of a vulnerable teenager. The missing person is Dylan, an 18-year-old from Wolverhampton, who was last seen in the Branston and Tattenhill area of Burton-upon-Trent on the evening of 1 December.
However, authorities have stressed that formal identification is yet to take place. "We will not be able to confirm the identity of the body until it has been retrieved, and formal identification has taken place," the police spokesperson said.
Ongoing Investigation
The focus for officers remains on the sensitive recovery operation at the water park. Once the body is retrieved, the process of formal identification will begin, which is a necessary step before any further details can be released to the public or the family of the missing teen.
The discovery has cast a pall over the local community and the park, which is normally a site for leisure and recreation. The police have not indicated any suspicious circumstances at this stage but continue their investigations at the scene.
