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PICTURED: Boy killed on camping trip after falling out of kayak

An eight-year-old boy who died in a tragic kayaking accident while on a camping trip with his family in WA has been pictured.

The boy, named Sol, had been camping with family at Fernhook Falls near Walpole, about 400km southeast of Perth when he went he went off to kayak alone on Sunday October 10.

His blue plastic kayak was found after he went missing.

Pictured is Sol, the boy who drowned after attempting to go kayaking alone at Fernhook Falls.
Sol, right, drowned after he went kayaking alone near his family's campsite in Fernhook Falls. Source: Nine News/Supplied

A land search that spanned several days and involved more than 60 State Emergency Service volunteers was suspended, with police focussed on finding and recovering the boy's body from the river.

He was found by a search team on Friday, October 15, and a complex recovery operation commenced, with the body retrieved on Sunday, a week after he went missing.

Family release statement

On Wednesday afternoon, Sol’s family broke their silence in a statement to thank emergency services for their efforts in retrieving their son’s body. The family also provided a photograph of their boy.

“Sol was much loved by his parents, his brothers, and his community,” the statement read.

“Our deepest thanks go to the Police, Emergency Services, Community Volunteers, and Civilian Contractors. We acknowledge the many individuals who gave everything in extreme conditions to recover our boy.

“We would also like to thank our friends and family for their comfort and support.

Divers stand at the edge of the river where eight-year-old Sol went missing.
Divers recovered Sol's body on Sunday, a week after he went missing. Source: Nine News

“We now ask that you respect our privacy.”

On Sunday, after the recovery of Sol’s body, Great Southern District Superintendent Kim Travers commended the family for their assistance in the heartbreaking case.

"The recovery would not have been possible without the mutual trust and respect of the family who have remained on site throughout this recovery operation," he said in a statement.

"The circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident will be subject of a report to the coroner.”

With AAP

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