A teenage farmhand has died after getting trapped when his tractor fell into a slurry pit.

Jordan Orriss, 16, was driving a tractor when it toppled over and he drowned near Padstow, Cornwall.

Fire crews recovered his body on arrival at Treginegar Farm, St Merryn, on Sunday morning (28 March).

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said the death was being treated as a tragic accident. “A 16-year-old male farmhand was found deceased after the tractor he was driving toppled into a slurry pit, trapping him under the slurry,” said the spokesman.

“Efforts were made to rescue him, but proved unsuccessful. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. At this stage, police are treating this as a tragic accident. The investigation continues.”

A Cornwall Fire and Rescue service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene, which involved a slurry pit, there was a person confirmed deceased. Crews recovered the unfortunate casualty.”

His death has left the close-knit rural community, where Jordan was well known, in mourning. Tributes, including many from school friends, have poured in on a page dedicated to his memory on the social networking site Facebook.

Lauren Dalley wrote: “RIP Jordan, I’ll never forget you, that’s for sure. I was your best friend as you always said and I will miss you always.”