THE parents of a teenage boy who died while swimming at a popular bathing spot were last night trying to come to terms with the third tragedy to devastate their family.

Tributes were last night paid to 16-year-old Colin Dodds whose body was recovered yestreday from the bottom of a deep pool in the River Wear at The Batts, in Bishop Auckland .

He was swimming in the river with two friends when he got into difficulty at about 5.15pm on Saturday.

Police said his friends raised the alarm after Colin, of Douthwaite Road on the town’s Woodhouse Close Estate, struggled to reach the bank, before disappearing under water.

A large search featuring police, specialist divers, mountain rescue volunteers and three helicopters was swiftly launched and at first light at about 4.20am on Sunday his body was found.

A police spokesman said specialist police divers found Colin’s body not far from where he was last seen.

Officers said the teenager was believed to be a weak swimmer.

Residents of The Batts said there is a deep pool in the area which produces strong and dangerous currents.

A post-mortem is expected to be completed in the next few days.

Colin’s death is the third tragedy to hit the family.

His brother Ryan died aged 14 in 2009 after being born with a rare bowel condition, and in 1992 the boys’ parents Colin and Wendy lost their six-week-old son Kenneth, who was born prematurely.

Thousands turned to Facebook to express their sorrow yesterday, including Colin’s older sister Rebecca who said: “RIP Colin, you were a great brother, can’t wait to see you again.

“Love you loads.”

He also leaves behind a sister Nikkita, and a step-sister and brother.

In April, eight-year-old Ian Bell fell into the River Wear near his home in Sunnybrow, Willington.

His body was found more than a week later about three miles downstream from where he was last seen. Ian’s family have formed a campaign group to raise awareness of water safety. Thosuands of pounds donated to a fund in his memory may be used to buy underwater camera equipment for the emergency services.