Harry Sykes, 16, went missing before body was discovered in lake near Carcassone

A British teenager who died in France while on a rugby trip has been named as Harry Sykes.

The body of a boy was recovered from a lake near Carcassonne, in southern France, after Harry, 16, was reported missing on Wednesday evening.

He had been travelling with team-mates from Halifax Elite Rugby Academy.

In a statement on its Facebook page on Thursday, Halifax Rugby League Football Club said: “Halifax RLFC would like to express our condolences to the family and teammates of local young player Harry Sykes who has tragically passed away in France whilst on tour with his team from the Halifax Elite Rugby Academy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates at this time.”

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British national following his death in Carcassonne, France, and we are in touch with the local authorities.”

Harry was taking part in a tour organised by Halifax Elite Rugby Academy, the Rugby Football League said.

The league’s chief executive, Ralph Rimmer, said: “We are extremely saddened by the tragic news that Halifax Elite Rugby Academy’s Harry Sykes has passed away.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Harry’s family, friends and teammates at this sad time. The RFL Benevolent Fund has been in contact and is providing support.”

A local council official told Mail Online: “An alert was put out to emergency services and there was an extensive search of the water involving divers.

“It was just before 11pm on Wednesday that night divers found the body of the missing person after two hours in the water.”

The source said a post-mortem examination had taken place on Thursday and the results would be made available in due course.