A PSNI sergeant leading the search for missing teenager Noah Donohoe testified at Belfast Coroner's Court that his body was located as quickly and safely as conditions allowed. The inquest, heard before a jury, has reached its sixth week. Noah, a 14-year-old St Malachy's College pupil, disappeared on June 21, 2020, while cycling in north Belfast to meet friends. His body was recovered from a storm drain tunnel in Northwood Linear Park on June 27. A post-mortem confirmed drowning as the cause.

Sergeant Hutchings assumed responsibility on June 22 after Noah was last seen nearby in Northwood Road. He tasked a team to search the culvert on June 23 upon finding its hatch insecure. The officer initially focused on the Cavehill area due to limited information. He checked the drain near where Noah's bike was found, despite a protective cage.

The search involved cameras and officers amid risks including confined spaces, slips, gases, and water. Operations paused multiple times that week over rising water levels. No clear signs of Noah appeared, but searchers could not rule out his presence. Sergeant Hutchings called in the PSNI diving team. The body was found around 10am on June 27.

Earlier testimony came from CRS regional commander Sean McCarry and former PSNI Chief Superintendent Muir Clark. McCarry noted members of the public initially slowed efforts due to crowds on streets but cooperated after police explanations. A Wednesday crowd, urged by local councillors amid Covid rules, hindered teams.

Owen McGivern from the Department for Infrastructure Rivers described total darkness beyond 10 to 20 metres inside the culvert, where visibility drops to zero. He said gas risks occur only when disturbed and never triggered alarms during his visits. De-silting work halted beforehand due to contaminated material and Covid restrictions.

The jury visited the site on Monday. The culvert grill served as a debris screen, spaced wide enough for a person to pass. The department acknowledged local residents could reach the area via back gardens, learned through resident talks, but had no knowledge of children visiting.