A 16-year-old schoolboy has died after falling from a cliff and plunging into the sea in the middle of the night. The teenager, named as Joshua Smith, was plucked from the water by the crew of an RAF rescue helicopter and flown to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police today said that the teen's death was not being treated as suspicious, but have referred it to the police watchdog. Joshua Smith died after falling from a cliff and plunging into the sea in the coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland (pictured) A major air and sea search and rescue operation was launched after emergency services received reports that someone had fallen from the cliff at Spittal Point, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. The coastguard, police, paramedics, firefighters and an RAF rescue helicopter were all scrambled to the scene in early hours of Easter Sunday. Police have said they are not treating Joshua's death as suspicious (file picture) RNLI station manager, John Dunn, said crews used torches from the edge of the cliff in a bid to spot the boy after the alarm was raised at around 2.40am. 'They were just on the edge of the cliff with torches and searchlights trying to spot the guy in the water,' he told the Newcastle Chronicle. 'The helicopter was there doing its job and pulled him out of the water pretty quick.' Joshua, from the Berwick-upon-Tweed area, was plucked from the surf near Spittal Promenade by a crew from RAF Boulmer's search and rescue helicopter and flown to Wansbeck General Hospital, where he later died. Joshua was a  rugby enthusiast and played for his local u16 team. He attended Berwick Academy. Friends described him as a 'lovely lad' who was 'always smiling.' Colin Frame said on the Berwick Rugby Club  Facebook page: 'Tragically we lost one of our rugby family last night. 'On behalf of everyone at Berwick Rugby Club, but especially his Under 16 coaches and fellow players, we send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. 'At times like this it is difficult to make sense of the world but at times like this we will pull together as a Club to try. RIP Josh. ‪#‎oneclub‬' His headteacher, Alexis Widdowson, said the school was 'devastated' by the teenager's death. 'Josh Smith was a talented boy who touched the hearts of all those who knew him and he will live on in our memories,' she reportedly told the Berkwick Advertiser. 'Our thoughts, now, are with his family and closest friends and we offer them our sincerest condolences.' Flowers were also said to have been left at the scene of his cliff fall. A spokesman for Northumberland Police said: 'At 3.06am police received reports from the ambulance service that a boy had fallen from cliffs at Spittal Point, Berwick. 'Emergency Services attended along with the RNLI and a 16-year-old boy was recovered from the sea. 'He was taken to Wansbeck General Hospital where he later died. 'Enquires are in the early stages to establish the circumstances.' They added that his death has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission 'in line with protocol.'
Joshua Smith, 16, died in hospital after being rescued from the sea . Fell from a cliff at Berwick-upon-Tweed in the early hours of Easter Sunday . Northumberland Police say they are not treating the death as suspicious . Have referred the death to the Independent Police Complaints Commission .