A SCHOOL principal has paid tribute to the two teenagers who were found at at the foot of cliffs in Saltburn.

The boys are Harry Watson and Alex Yeoman from the East Cleveland area, both aged 17, and understood to be friends.

The pair are believed to have been from Loftus and attended Brotton’s Freebrough Academy, a specialist engineering college.

Today, Rachel Prentice epxressed her condolences to the teenagers' families.

The principal said: "We are both shocked and saddened by the devastating news that two of our ex-students, Alex Yeoman and Harry Watson, tragically lost their lives on Friday. Our first thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time.

"We are a very close knit community so the devastating loss of these two lovely young men, who had so much to live for, will have a huge impact on both students and staff.

"They were both very positive members of our school team and we have very fond memories of them. Our on-site counsellors and pastoral team will be available to offer support to students and staff.

"In order to show our respect we held a moment of silent reflection in memory of Alex and Harry. Staff and students will have an opportunity to write about their happiest memories of Alex and Harry in a book of remembrance for each of the boys."

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of what happened on Friday evening.

However, police are not treating the incident as suspicious at this time.

The family of Alex Yeoman have said that he is a “loving son” who will be sadly missed. Alex is a stepson and has four siblings and a further two step siblings.

Harry Watson’s family described him as “precious” and said he would be sadly missed. Harry has three siblings.

Specialist officers are continuing to support both families. The families have expressed their thanks for the messages of support and condolence that have been sent to them.

However, they would like to be left to grieve in peace.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene for the boys. Police would ask that any other floral tributes are left at the bottom of the steps to Huntcliff.

The Northern Echo: Flowers on the cliffs at Huntcliff, Saltburn. Picture: STUART BOULTON

The mother of Alex Watson has posted a heartfelt tribute to her son on Facebook.

Tanya Watson said: "It is with great sadness and sorrow that last night our precious 17-year-old son Harry Watson has passed away."

She added: "Please understand at this difficult time we don't have many answers but Harry is one of the gifts in life, always there for everyone and anyone.

"He will always live in our hearts and we will get through this as the strong family that we are because that's what Harry would have wanted.

"We love him all the world love you minions my Harry xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx"

Several other tributes and messages of sympathy have also been posted.

The bodies were found at the foot of cliffs in Huntcliff, Saltburn, by police and Coastguard colleagues shortly before 7pm on Friday evening.

A spokesman for Humber Coastguard said coastguard teams from Redcar, Skinningrove and Staithes along with a helicopter from its base in East Yorkshire had responded to a police request to attend the incident at about 7.05pm on Friday night.

He said the helicopter arrived on the scene at 8pm and winched the two casualties onboard before flying them to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where the helicopter arrived at 8.52pm.

The spokesman said they were found about a mile along Huntcliff at the bottom of cliffs. He also said the weather conditions had not hampered the operation and it had been low tide.

The remaining coastguard teams left the scene at 9.55pm.

Commenting on Twitter, Tom Blenkinsop, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said he extended his thoughts and prayers to the families involved.

  • Any witnesses who may have been in the area of Huntcliff around the time of the incident are asked to contact Detective Sergeant Paul Hodgson from Cleveland Police Major Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101.