Passenger, 15, named after fatal river crash

A teenage boy who died after a pick-up truck plunged into a river has been named by police.

Joe Maddy, 15, of Irchester, in Northamptonshire, was a passenger in a silver Toyota Hilux when it left the road and entered the River Nene at the Embankment, in nearby Wellingborough, at 23:10 GMT on Friday.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service carried out a water rescue but the teenager died in hospital.

The driver of the vehicle, an 18-year-old man from Irchester who sustained minor injuries in the crash, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail while further inquiries take place.

Northamptonshire Police said it was not yet known why the car went into the river.

Joe Maddy's family thanked "everyone for their kind words at this very sad time".

The force added that specially-trained family liaison officers were supporting the boy's relatives.

Officers want to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash, saw the vehicle in the moments before it, or has dashcam footage of the incident.

There have been calls for better safety measures at the Embankment following the death of Ronalds Abele, 17, who drowned while swimming there in May 2024.

Irchester Gladiators Under 16 football team said they would hold a minute's silence before their next home game in Joe's memory.

Christopher Cooper from the club said: "We extend our heartfelt condolences to Joe's family.

"Many of our team members were his classmates, and this has affected us all deeply."

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