A TEENAGER nearly drowned after getting into trouble in the sea off Jaywick.

The 15-year-old boy, who suffers from learning difficulties, had been playing in the water for several hours with a float when he got out of his depth and started to struggle just after 5pm on yesterday.

A passing canoe saw the boy was in trouble and went to help him, and a member of the public on the also saw the boy and called 999.

The Clacton inshore lifeboat was launched and found the boy clinging to the side of the canoe.

He was brought to shore without injuries, and the air ambulance was called to the boy as he had been in the water for a long time.

They sent him home with with father, who was given advice, rather than further distress him by taking him to hospital.

The drama was about a mile away from where 10-year-old Stella Akanbi’s body was found on Monday after she drowned off Clacton.