UK youth dies in flash flooding

A 17-year-old boy died after becoming trapped in a culvert during flash floods in Oxfordshire, police said yesterday.

Max Sullivan-Webb was playing with friends in a field in Witney when he became stuck in a metal grate covering a concrete culvert on Tuesday evening.

Despite attempts by fire crews to rescue him in neck-high waters, the teenager was later pronounced dead at the local John Radcliffe hospital.

The dead teenager, known locally as Max Weeden, which is his mother and step-father's surname, loved art and wanted to work as an animator.

"Max was just like any other teenager: He loved music, computer games and riding his BMX with his mates," his family said in a statement.

"But in other ways he was a real individual and didn't follow the crowd. He was kind, gentle and very laid back; he never took life too seriously and was always laughing and joking. We will have so many fond memories of him."

Nearly a month's rain fell in Oxfordshire on Tuesday, resulting in fire crews responding to about 120 calls linked to flash flooding.