Teenager hunted by police dies in Clapton canal Published duration 30 July 2015

image caption Friends of Jack Susianta said he was "passionate" about inequality

A 17-year-old boy who was being searched for by police after a row at home died in a canal in east London.

The teenager, thought to be Jack Susianta, fled having smashed a window at his home in east London after officers were called by his family.

He was spotted by police 40 minutes later but ran off and went into the canal where he died, the Met said.

Identification and post-mortem tests are still to be carried out, and the police watchdog has been informed.

image caption The boy's body was recovered from the water at about 17:20 BST

School friends of Jack gathered at the location to pay tribute to the teenager.

Ned O'Regan said: He was a hard working boy and he achieved really highly.

"I can't comprehend that this has happened. He was just a normal boy, he had such high hopes. He was so passionate about what he did and he said and it's so sad."

Mary Greene said: "I think everyone's completely in shock and it just feels really surreal.

image caption School friends of Jack Susianta said he was a "hard working" and "passionate" boy

Police said they were called to the boy's home on Wednesday afternoon because family members were concerned for his welfare.

Officers arrived at 15:12 BST, but at 15:38 Hackney Police tweeted: "Jack Susianta, 17yrs missing from E5. Last seen wearing a T-shirt, shorts and socks."

The boy was seen on Hackney Marshes at about 15:50 but when he saw the police he ran away again and ended up in the canal at Lea Bridge Road in Hackney.

Police said a "life aid" was thrown to him, but he went under water. An officer went into the water but could not save the teenager.

His body was recovered from the water at about 17:20 BST.

image caption The boy died in the Lea Navigation Canal despite attempts to rescue him

Dog units, a police helicopter, Marine Police and London Fire Brigade were all deployed in the search.

The Hackney Police account had also tweeted appeals over the disappearance of Jack in the early hours of Tuesday, followed about an hour later by a message saying he had been found.