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A father and son have died fishing in the river at Cooper Bridge.

The pair, aged 43 and 19, were magnet fishing in the river near the the water treatment works and BP petrol station.

Police said they left home in Pudsey at 6.30am.

They were called at 11.18am by a woman who found a jacket, camera and car keys at the side of the river.

The car keys were traced to an address in Pudsey. The man's wife had been expecting them to return at lunchtime.

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Key Events

Full story

Here is a full report on what happened today.

An unbearably difficult day for Jack and Martin’s family - our thoughts are with them.

Jack Andrews, who died with his father Martin while magnet fishing in the canal near Cooper Bridge
Jack Andrews, who died with his father Martin while magnet fishing in the canal near Cooper Bridge
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Our story on experienced fisherman David Kitchingman talking about the depth of the water

https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/fisherman-very-surprised-tragic-dad-14794887

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More from our reporter Robert who has been at the scene all day

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Father and son killed in fishing tragedy named

The father and son who tragically lost their lives in the canal at Cooper Bridge have been named locally as Martin Andrews, 43, and his 19-year-old son Jack

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Our reporter Robert live from the scene of the drowning

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Our story about how fisherman Steve Hydes found a rope and other belongings near to where the father and son died

https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/man-describes-finding-rope-tied-14794767

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Our reporter Robert is still at the scene bringing us the latest updates

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Another picture taken by our reporter at the scene

Accident scene at the Cooper Bridge canal
Accident scene at the Cooper Bridge canal
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Incident happened in the canal

We’ve been told that the location of the incident is the canal so we will be referring to it as that from now on

The canal at Cooper Bridge
The canal at Cooper Bridge
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Steps near the scene where father and his 19-year-old son died

Picture taken from our reporter at the scene shows some steps leading from the water near to where the tragedy occurred

Steps near to where the tragedy occurred at Cooper Bridge
Steps near to where the tragedy occurred at Cooper Bridge
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Fisherman David Kitchingman, of Bradford, talks about how deep the water is

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Police statement

Police have said they were called at around 11.18am on Saturday to the water near to Navigation House in Cooper Bridge where the two men entered.

A police spokesperson said:

“Officers conducted extensive enquiries to locate the men, and the police underwater search unit attended. The bodies of two men were recovered from the water around 7.20pm.

They are believed to be a father and son from the Leeds area. The family have been notified.

There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances at this time and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”

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Tears from witness who called police after finding tragic dad's belongings

The woman who made the phone call to the police broke down in tears as she spoke about the tragedy for the first time.

She was walking her dog when she noticed the father’s belongings on the towpath.

She said:

“I just thought there was something not right.

I rang the police and stayed at the site until they arrived.

“The currents in this area can be really, really strong and there’s no life-saving equipment here.

“It’s heart-breaking whats happened. I feel so sorry for his family. That poor woman, and for it to happen on Fathers Day makes it even worse.”

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Facebook tributes

Facebook tributes to the father and son have been coming in. Here are some of them:

Maria Magdalena said: “Such terrible thing to happen to that poor mother and wife just before Father’s Day. So sad.”

Mark Cox: “My heart goes out to the family.”

Amanda Bryson: “Aw that’s awful. So sad. Heartbreaking for the family.”

Vanessa Marie Barlow: “This is just heartbreaking.”

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Stephen Hydes, of Elland, said it's a popular fishing site

Stephen Hydes, of Elland, talks more about belongings found at the scene and how popular the area is for fishing

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Couple float by the tragic scene

A couple on their barge floating past where the tragedy happened

A couple on their barge float past where the tragedy happened
A couple on their barge float past where the tragedy happened
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Eyewitness Steve Hydes says he found belongings and a rope

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